Elintarvikekontaktisääntöjä

Elintarvikekontaktisääntöjä, often translated as food contact regulations or rules, are a set of legal and technical requirements governing materials and articles that come into contact with food. These regulations are designed to ensure that food remains safe for consumption and does not become contaminated by harmful substances migrating from the packaging, utensils, or other materials used in its production, processing, storage, or serving.

The fundamental principle behind these rules is to prevent any adverse effects on human health and to ensure that the food's composition, taste, and odor are not altered in an unacceptable way. This involves controlling the chemical composition of the materials, limiting the migration of substances from the material into the food, and specifying testing methods to verify compliance.

Different jurisdictions have their own specific elintarvikekontaktisääntöjä. In the European Union, for instance, Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 provides the overarching framework, supplemented by specific measures for different types of materials such as plastics, ceramics, and regenerated cellulose. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates food contact substances under Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Compliance with these regulations is mandatory for manufacturers and importers. It typically involves rigorous testing and documentation to demonstrate that the materials are safe and suitable for their intended use. The regulations also often require clear labeling and traceability to ensure that the source and composition of food contact materials can be identified.