On 10 June 2013, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) announced the ‘Reusable food containers for plastic plate, bowl and dish' according to the Act Governing Food Sanitation Article 18.

Product Labeling Requirements for Plastic Food Contact Materials

The announcement specifies that food plastic utensils shall be marked with the following:

 - Product name
 - Product material
 - Heat resistance temperature
 - Country of origin
 - Weight, volume, quantity or measure
 - Date of manufacture
 - Indication on the usage in microwaves and other warnings
 - Company name, telephone number and address

From the list of markings, the product material and the heat resistance temperature shall be printed or embossed on the article.

Highlights of this announcement, including earlier announcements under items 1 and 2, are summarized in Table 1 within the latest SafeGuards bulletin. (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-18313-taiwan-food-contact-materials-a4-en-13.pdf).

New Standards for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages

In August 2013, the Taiwan Department of Health issued a comprehensive revision of its Sanitation Standards for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages (2).

During August –September 2013, the TFDA announced a set of draft revisions to its "Methods of Test for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages – Test of Plastic Products'(3). The new draft revisions are essential to meet Article 6 of the new standards under the Sanitation Standards for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages. The draft test methods would essentially update the experimental procedures and techniques, including detection limits. One notable revision is the expansion of the phthalates from DBP and DEHP to the inclusion of BBP, DIDP, DINP and DMP.

The food contact materials and articles under these draft test methods are  

 - Metal cans
 - Plastics
 - Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
 - Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC)

The notices are open to a 20-day public consultation.

References:

(1) SafeGuards No. 071/13 May 2013 (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-07113-taiwan-bans-bpa-in-baby-bottles-a4-en-13.pdf)

(2) Sanitation Standard for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages (https://consumer.fda.gov.tw/Law/Detail.aspx?nodeID=518&lawid=10)

(3)Notice of draft amendment "food utensils, containers, packaging test methods – Test of metal can"

Notice of draft amendment "food utensils, containers, packaging test methods – Test of plastic"

Notice of draft amendment "food utensils, containers, packaging test methods – Test of polyvinyl chloride"

Notice of draft amendment "food utensils, containers, packaging test methods – Test of polyvinylidene chloride" 

About SGS Material Testing Services

Throughout a global network of laboratories, SGS is able to provide a range of services, including analytical testing and consultancy for restricted substances and chemicals (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Hardgoods/Home-Furnishings-and-Houseware/Testing/Chemical-Testing.aspx) in food contact products and other consumer products for compliance with Taiwan and worldwide requirements.

Please do not hesitate to contact an SGS expert for further information.

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