RASFF

RASFF Notifications on Food Contact Substances and Materials in 2023

RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) is the European Union's alert and information platform, aimed at rapidly and effectively reporting public health risks related to food and feed.

In 2023, numerous RASFF notifications were issued concerning food contact substances and materials. These notifications indicated the presence of substances in materials and packaging such as plastic, metal, ceramic, paper, cardboard, and silicone, which could pose a risk to human health and food safety.

Food Contact Substances Listed in RASFF Notifications

Among the most frequently identified irregularities in RASFF notifications concerning food contact substances were:

• Heavy Metals (Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic): These substances can migrate from the material's pores into food, posing a serious risk to public health.
• Plasticizers (Bisphenol-A, Phthalates): Numerous warnings have been issued due to their endocrine-disrupting properties and potential adverse effects on reproduction.
• Primary Aromatic Amines (PAA): These substances, originating from residues of dye and polymer manufacturing, are a cause for concern due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic effects.
• Fluorinated Substances (PFAS): Due to their functional properties, such as oil and water repellency, they are used in many materials and accumulate in the human body, posing a risk to public health.

Risk Management: Measures for Food Contact Substances

To minimize risks posed by food contact substances and materials and eliminate public health hazards, companies and authorities must implement effective risk management and control procedures:

• Supplier Control: When procuring materials, reliable and certified sources should be prioritized.
• Raw Material Analysis: To identify risks from materials and additives, regular and detailed analyses should be conducted.
• Process Control: During the production process, conditions such as temperature, pressure, and cleanliness should be closely monitored.
• Migration Testing: It should be verified in accordance with national and international regulations whether harmful substances migrate when end products come into contact with food.
• Documentation and Traceability: All processes and material sources must be documented to enable tracing the source and taking action in case of an issue.

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