EFSA approval for two food contact substances

The European safety watchdog yesterday concluded there were no concerns regarding the additive 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine with the CAS number 56-06-4. The body’s reached its opinion following a request from German body Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit for an evaluation of its use as a heat stabiliser in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials at a maximum content of 0.18 per cent.

The conclusion with regard to the additive was for contact with aqueous food at room temperature for a long period and, in some applications, at any condition of time and temperature. The dossier was submitted by Sun Ace Kakoh Ltd, Singapore.

EFSA’s CEF Panel laid down two conditions as part of its positive opinion as it classified the additive as part of the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) List 3. The substance should only be used in rigid PVC in contact with non-acidic and non-alcoholic aqueous food. Migration of the substance could only be up to 5 mg/kg food.

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Request from the ​UK​

The safety panel also said there were no health concerns for use of the additive alkyl(C10-C21)sulphonic acid, esters with phenol with the CAS number 91082-17-6 for use as a plasticiser up to 46 per cent (ww) in polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The substance is intended to be in contact with dry and aqueous foods at room temperature. It includes long term storage but excludes fatty food contact.

The verdict came following a request from the UK Food Standard’s Agency (FSA) after it received a dossier from Lanxess Deutschland GmbH.

The CEF Panel concluded that there was no safety concern for the consumer if the substance is not used in articles for contact with fatty foods and its migration was up to 0.05 mg/kg food.

Under Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004, EFSA must grant its approval before a substance is authorised for use in food contact materials and is included in a positive list. According to the procedure, industry players submit applications to the competent authorities of member states, which pass it on to EFSA. Each application must be supported by a dossier.