China's CFSA Seeks Public Comments on Two New Food Contact Materials

On November 18, 2025, the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) announced a public consultation proposing Calcium tert-butylphosphonate as a new food additive for food contact materials (FCMs) and extending the scope of use for polyvinyl alcohol.

In accordance with the Provisions for the Administrative License of New Varieties of Food-Related Products and the Regulations for the Application and Acceptance of New Varieties of Food-Related Products, these two new varieties have successfully passed the technical review by the expert committee. The specific details are as follows:

Extension of Use Scope/Usage Limit for Additives in FCMs and Articles

The use scope of polyvinyl alcohol is extended to adhesives for indirect contact with all food categories. The conditions of use are room temperature filling (including hot filling, pasteurization, or other heat treatments) followed by long-term storage at room temperature.

New Additive for FCMs and Articles

Calcium tert-butylphosphonate is proposed as a new additive for polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) plastic materials and articles in contact with food. This substance can enhance the mechanical, optical, and barrier properties of PE and PP materials. The safety assessment concludes that PE and PP materials and articles containing this additive are safe for all population groups under the intended conditions of room temperature filling followed by long-term storage at room temperature (Note: only PP and HDPE articles are suitable for microwave heating under these conditions).

CFSA now invites public comments on these proposals. Written opinions should be submitted via email to biaozhun@cfsa.net.cn by December 18, 2025.

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Further Information

CFSA