Are plastic food-contact additives authorised in GB?
Ask for the chemical identity and use of each additive, then compare it with the FSA's GB food-contact authorisations register. Check the permitted role, restrictions and supporting evidence before approving production. Supplier follow-up in China can be coordinated by Cambridge China Bridge.
Start with the formulation, not a food-safe claim
Regulated food-contact materials need authorisation before use and placement on the GB market. For your additive check, ask the factory for a substance schedule covering the resin, additive packages, masterbatch and fillers. A trade name or a statement that the plastic is food-safe does not give you enough information to match its ingredients.
This guide covers substance matching. Use our kitchenware documentation guide for declarations and the additional controls on certain kitchenware from China. Put the intended foods, contact temperature, contact duration and repeated-use conditions into your product specification.
Get identities that can be checked
Request the chemical name, CAS identifier where available, register substance identifier where known, supplier grade, function and loading in the finished plastic. Ask the factory to identify the ingredients within an additive mixture, rather than listing only the mixture's commercial name. Include information about chemical modification and particle form where relevant.
If the factory treats the formulation as confidential, propose disclosure directly to your appointed compliance specialist or laboratory. Ask for a written conclusion tied to the actual formulation and product. Keep any unresolved identity visible in your approval record.
Compare each substance with the GB register
Use the FSA's food-contact material authorisations register, with its guidance notes alongside it. Search using the chemical name and available identifiers. Open the substance entry and compare its identity with the supplier schedule. Record the authorisation status, applicable nations, permitted additive role, update information and any transitional provisions.
Do not approve a match from a similar name alone. Check whether the entry covers the supplier's exact substance and intended role. Save the entry and your review date beside the formulation revision, so a colleague can reconstruct the comparison.
Turn restrictions into evidence requests
A specific migration limit is the maximum permitted amount of a substance released into food or a food simulant. Ask your laboratory to map each relevant entry's migration limits, group restrictions, specifications and compliance notes to the proposed product. Include any restrictions concerning the polymer, loading, food type or contact conditions.
Keep authorisation matching and finished-product evidence as separate checks. Ask the laboratory to explain how its testing or other supporting assessment addresses each relevant restriction. Check that the evidence covers your formulation, colour and intended use, using our test-report verification guide.
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Resolve gaps before approving production
If there is no clear match, ask the supplier and your specialist to identify the applicable basis for use and provide supporting evidence. Record the outcome as unresolved until that review is complete. The FSA applications register lists applications received for approval; an application listing is not confirmation of authorisation.
Keep the substance schedule, saved register entries, restriction review and supporting documents together. Agree that changes to resin grade, additive package, masterbatch or filler trigger another review before production approval. Cambridge China Bridge can use its staff in China to follow up supplier identities and formulation documents for the buyer's appointed reviewer.
Frequently asked questions
Is a food-safe certificate enough for plastic additives?
Ask for substance identities and a documented register comparison as well. Connect the findings to evidence for the actual formulation and intended use.
What if my supplier will not disclose the additives?
Propose confidential disclosure to your appointed specialist or laboratory. Keep approval pending until you receive a conclusion tied to the actual formulation.
Does an authorised substance mean my product is compliant?
You still need to check the permitted role, restrictions and evidence for the finished product. Keep the substance match and product assessment separately recorded.
What if an additive is missing from the GB register?
Check the identity and search terms, then ask a specialist to establish the applicable basis for use. Keep the result unresolved rather than approving from a migration report alone.