Food Regulations

About this property

The main objective of food regulations is to ensure food safety and protect human health. They restrict the type of substances that can be used and their dosage. These standards are constantly updated.

A certificate that simply states that a belt is food grade, or that it is suitable for contact with food, does not accredit the belt’s compliance with food regulations.

Regulation

FDA

The mission of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is to ensure safe food. Conveyor belts are subject to FCM (Food Contact Material) restrictions. The FDA does not approve or certify specific products that may come into contact with food, but it regulates the conditions of safe use of the substances used in manufacturing. The part of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that regulates FCM (Food Contact Material) is Title 21, chapter I, subchapter B.

EC Regulation 1935/2004 and EC Regulation 2023/2006

Within the European Union, all materials and objects intended to come into contact with food must comply with EC Framework Regulation 1935/2004. This Regulation states that these materials may not endanger human health or cause changes in the odor, composition, color, or taste of food. In addition, they must be manufactured in accordance with the good manufacturing practices regulated by EC Regulation 2023/2006.

These regulations apply to all materials in contact with food. In the case of plastic materials, the specific regulation they must comply with is Regulation (EU) 10/2011.

EU Regulation 10/2011 and the Declaration of Conformity

Regulation (EU) 10/2011 establishes the obligations to be met by plastic materials intended to come into contact with food. It details the Union List that defines the authorized substances, as well as the restrictions and migration limits that must be met.

The test conditions and simulants are also stipulated in this Regulation. Compliance with this important standard is accredited by Declarations of Conformity that every manufacturer, distributor, or importer of conveyor belts is obliged to offer to its customers.

HACCP

The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system is a methodology of good practices in the manufacture, handling, and transport of food products. Its objective is to evaluate health hazards and establish control and correction actions at explicitly identified critical points. Although some belt manufacturers qualify some of their ranges as HACCP, it is a working methodology, not an intrinsic characteristic of the belts.

See the Sectors/Food section for more information about our belts in this industry.