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National Reference Laboratory for Materials in contact with food

Several materials like plastics, paper and board, metal and ceramics are used for the production of food-contact materials. This means that such substances should not pose a danger to humans.

Legal foundations for materials that come into contact with food

The EU Regulation 2004/1935 stipulates that under normal or foreseeable conditions of use, these materials may not release any substances onto the food which could

• harm human health or
• lead to an unacceptable change in the composition of the food or
• lead to an impairment of the organoleptic properties (taste, aroma, appearance, colour) of the food.

The focus of the work of the National Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials within BfR is on the official control of the laboratories responsible for food-contact materials by developing corresponding analytical methods, conducting comparative laboratory tests and establishing a national network for these laboratories. The Reference Laboratory works closely with the Community Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials, Joint Research Centre Ispra and ensures that information is passed on to the control laboratories.

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