In its answer to the public consultation on the review of the Food Contact Materials Regulation, Glass for Europe highlighted the need to consider the specificities of soda-lime silicate flat glass products.
The utilisation of flat glass for food applications is very rare. “More than 99% of flat glass production is used for windows, facades, automotive glass and solar energy modules”, said Iva Ganev, Environment & Climate Policy Manager of Glass for Europe, in an audio statement released today. “Only 0,5% of production could potentially come into contact with food and when this happens, the contact is usually non-intentional and very brief, for example with kitchen tops or fridge shelves.” All this considered, the Food Contact Materials Regulation should not require testing of soda-lime silicate flat glass goods.
A 2019 testing campaign confirmed that there is insignificant health hazard linked to the release of metals from flat glass products. “Migration levels of soda-lime silicate flat glass products made in Europe are below the measurable limit of quantification”, continued I. Ganev. “Provided there is no alteration of the surface, they should be regarded as ‘safe for food contact applications”.
Read Glass for Europe’s position paper on food contact materials.
Listen to the audio statement:
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