Unit Safety of Food-Contact Materials

Our tasks

Substances can be transferred from materials and articles used in contact with food (e.g. packaging, tableware or kitchen utensils) to food. The unit assesses the health risk of these substance transfers and publishes the results in the form of statements and publications. Chemical/analytical and toxicological data serve as the basis for the risk assessment. The unit also carries out health assessments of printing ink components that can be transferred to foodstuffs. Within the scope of its activities, the unit supports the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Public Control Authorities of the German federal states in their work.

Recommendations on materials for food contact

In the absence of European or national specifications, the "BfR Recommendations on Food Contact Materials" represent recommendations for the safe use of substances for the production of food contact materials. They are elaborated and further developed by the unit. As part of the evaluation of applications for the inclusion of new substances into the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommendations, data on chemistry and technology, conditions of use, and migration into food (including the analytical methods used) are assessed with particular regard to possible consumer exposureExposureTo glossary. Studies on genotoxicity and on toxic effects after repeated dose (if applicable on carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, neuro toxicity and immune toxicity as well as on endocrine properties) are taken into account. Furthermore, findings on absorption, distribution and metabolism, including possible accumulation of the substance in the body, as well as on its excretion are taken into account.

Research projects are carried out in the unit to support risk assessment activities.

The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment-Recommendations are made available in a database via the website of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.

Committees and commissions

The unit is responsible for the management of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Committee for Consumer Products and its sub-committees.

Employees of the unit represent the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in national and international expert bodies such as DIN and CEN working groups, the working groups of the GDCh and the ALS for consumer products, the expert body of the Federal Environment Agency (UBAshort forGerman Environment Agency) on "plastics and other non-metallic materials in contact with drinking water" and expert groups of the EU Commission and the Council of Europe. They contribute to the work of the EFSAshort forEuropean Food Safety Authority "Food Contact Materials" working group of the Panel on "Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids" (CEP) as well as of various ECHAshort forEuropean Chemicals Agency expert groups.

Topics covered by the unit

Dr. Thomas Tietz Head Unit - Safety of Food-Contact Materials Address: Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10
10589 Berlin
Germany Postal address: German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment ()
Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10
10589 Berlin
Germany Telephone: +49-30-18412-27400 +49-30-18412-27400 E-mail: 74@bfr.bund.de

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