A food-contact surface is the part of an object, material, or piece of equipment that directly touches food during its preparation, processing, storage, serving, or consumption.
Food-contact surfaces include the inside of food packaging, including cans, glass, paper and plastics, as well as plates, cups, utensils, cutting boards, preparation equipment, and other surfaces that directly contact food.
This is an important distinction because not every food-contact surface is food packaging. A restaurant plate, for example, is generally a food-contact article rather than packaging.
It is also important to note that an object may contain materials that never directly touch food. Chemical safety assessments therefore often consider specifically which parts are in direct contact and under what conditions.
QUICK FACT
A food-contact surface can be a potential route for both chemical migration and microbiological contamination.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Food-contact material: the broader material or article intended for food contact.
- Food-contact substance: a substance used in or associated with the food-contact material.
SEE ALSO