I. Definition and Basic Concepts
Food-contact paper and paperboard materials and products refer to paper, paperboard materials and various products that are expected to come into contact with food or food additives (hereinafter referred to as "food") under normal use scenarios, or whose components may transfer to food, including waxed paper, silicone oil paper, pulp molding products and other types.
II. Core Performance Characteristics
Food-grade paperboard has many excellent core performances. The most prominent one is food contact safety. It does not contain fluorescent brighteners, harmful heavy metals or other harmful substances, strictly complies with relevant food packaging standards, and can be directly in contact with various foods. At the same time, it has good hygiene and cleanliness. The entire production process strictly controls hygiene indicators, with no peculiar smell or impurities, comprehensively ensuring food safety. In addition, it also has excellent water and oil resistance and temperature resistance, which can effectively block oil and water, and adapt to different use environments such as refrigeration and room temperature; the paperboard has moderate stiffness and good formability, is easy to fold and die-cut, has stable structure and is not easy to deform, and has clear and beautiful printing effect. In addition, it has the characteristics of environmental protection and recyclability, as well as a certain degree of moisture resistance and anti-aging ability, perfectly balancing practicality and green environmental protection needs.
III. Food Safety Standards and Certifications
Food-grade paperboard has clear requirements for safety standards and certifications. Domestically, it must strictly comply with mandatory standards such as GB 4806.8, prohibit harmful additives and fluorescent brighteners, strictly control the content of heavy metals and microorganisms, and ensure food contact safety. In the international market, it is necessary to pass authoritative certifications such as the US FDA, EU relevant regulations and Germany's LFGB. The core testing items include migration test, heavy metal detection, etc. In addition, its packaging must clearly be marked with the words "for food contact" and the corresponding implementation standards, which not only effectively ensures the safety of use, but also conforms to the current industry development trend of green environmental protection, and is suitable for various food packaging scenarios.
IV. Main Classifications and Uses
Food-grade paperboard is widely used and mainly divided into the following two categories:
1. Carton/Cardboard Box Category: This is the most common type, widely used for packaging various foods. For example, the commonly seen cake boxes, mooncake gift boxes, bread bags, hamburger boxes, etc. in daily life all belong to this category, which has both protection and aesthetics.
2. Paper Cup/Paper Bowl Category: Mainly used for holding beverages and food, such as disposable paper cups, instant noodle bowls, ice cream cones, etc. The inner wall of such products is usually covered with a food-grade coating (such as PE or PLA material), which can effectively prevent leakage and ensure safe use.
V. Environmental Protection and Development Trends
With the increasing popularity of global environmental protection concepts and the upgrading and development of the food industry, the environmental protection of food-grade paperboard has become the core development trend. In the future, it will further develop towards full degradability, non-plasticization and plastic reduction, select primary environmental protection raw materials, optimize production processes,and reduce environmental burden. At the same time, it will balance safety performance and low-carbon environmental protection, and its application in food packaging fields such as baking, catering and fresh food will become more extensive. It not only meets consumers' demand for food safety, but also conforms to the industry consensus of green and sustainable development, promoting the food packaging industry to move towards a healthier and more environmentally friendly direction.