GB 9685-2008 Food-Contact Additive Standard: 959 Permitted Substances, 116 Dyes/Pigments and Colorant Purity Limits for Packaging

GB 9685-2008 establishes comprehensive hygiene requirements for additives used in food containers and packaging materials. It addresses use principles, approved additive varieties, application scope, maximum use levels, specific migration limits or maximum residue limits, and other restrictions. In its annex, the standard lists 959 permitted additives, of which 116 are dyes and pigments (see the list below). It also sets purity requirements for colorants.

When impurities are detected in 0.1 mol/L hydrochloric acid, their mass fraction relative to the colorant must comply with the following: antimony ≤0.05%; arsenic ≤0.01%; barium ≤0.01%; cadmium ≤0.01%; chromium (VI) ≤0.1%; lead ≤0.01%; mercury ≤0.005%; selenium ≤0.01%.

For other impurities, the mass fraction relative to the colorant must meet: polychlorinated biphenyls ≤0.0025%; aromatic amines ≤0.05%; among them, benzidine, β-naphthylamine and 4-aminobiphenyl must each or collectively be ≤0.001%.

According to the content of the press copy (the officially promulgated printed version will prevail), some organic pigments and dye products that could be used are not included in the standard list and will cease to be used after June 1.

Attached product list:

1. Zinc oxide; C.I. Pigment White 4
2. Iron oxide black; C.I. Pigment Black 11
3. Iron oxide; C.I. Pigment Red 101
4. Phthalocyanine Green G; C.I. Pigment Green 7
5. Phthalocyanine Blue; C.I. Pigment Blue 15
6. Phthalocyanine; C.I. Pigment Blue 16
7. Hydrated iron oxide; C.I. Pigment Yellow 42
8. Bisbenzimidazo[2,1-b:2',1'-i]benzo[lmn][3,8]phenanthroline-8,17-dione; C.I. Pigment Orange 43
9. Cobalt aluminate; C.I. Pigment Blue 2
10. Titanium dioxide; C.I. Pigment White 6
11. N-[4-(aminocarbonyl)phenyl]-4-[[1-[[(2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl)-amino]carbonyl]-2-oxopropyl]azo]aniline; C.I. Pigment Yellow 181
12. N-[2-(4-cyclohexylphenoxy)ethyl]-N-ethyl-4-(2,2-dicyanovinyl)-3-toluidine; C.I. Disperse Yellow 201
13. N,N'-1,4-phenylene-bis[4-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)azo]-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxamide; C.I. Pigment Red 166
14. N,N'-(6,13-diacetylamino-2,9-diethoxy-3,10-triphenodioxazinediyl)dibenzamide; C.I. Pigment Violet 37
15. N,N'-(2,5-dichloro-1,4-phenylene)bis[4-[(2,5-dichlorophenyl)azo]-3-hydroxy-2-naphthamide; C.I. Pigment Red 214
16. N-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxy-4-[[2-methoxy-5-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]phenyl]azo]-2-naphthamide; C.I. Pigment Red 146
17. N-(2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl)-3-oxo-2-[[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]azo]butyramide; C.I. Pigment Yellow 154

According to the China Dyestuff Industry Association, the national standard was drafted by the Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, with participation from the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration Institute and the Chemical Manufacturers Association. It was issued by the Ministry of Health and the Standardization Administration of China, will take effect on June 1, 2009, and replaces GB9685-2003, Hygienic Standard for the Use of Auxiliaries for Food Containers and Packaging Materials.

The standard applies to all producers, operators and users of additives for food containers and packaging materials. It covers paper, bamboo, wood, metal, enamel, ceramics, plastics, rubber, natural fibers, chemical fibers, glass and composite packaging materials used to package or hold food, as well as food-contact coatings. It also covers machinery, pipes, conveyor belts, containers, utensils and tableware that contact food during food production and operation.

Source: China Packaging Network (pack.cn); original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-362302.html