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Packaging is an item that comes into direct contact with food. If the packaging is of poor quality, contains toxic substances, and does not ensure hygiene and safety, it will be harmful to the health of the user. Currently on the market, there are many types of food packaging made from many different materials. To limit the above dangers, the Ministry of Health has issued regulations on food safety for each type of packaging. So what are the hygiene and safety standards for food packaging? Please refer to the article below.

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1. Introduction

Food packaging is a material used to contain products with the main purpose of preserving the quality and quantity of food, in addition to many benefits such as: supporting the transportation process more easily. Each packaging is printed with information about the product, and brand to help consumers know the origin, how to use, how to preserve, etc., of the product.

Currently on the market there are ways to classify food packaging such as:

• Classification of packaging by product: candy, rice, seafood, vegetables, meat, water, flour, sugar, etc.
• Classification by packaging material: paper packaging, composite soft film packaging, plastic packaging, aluminum packaging, etc.
• Classification by packaging features: hard packaging, sterile packaging, pressure-resistant packaging, heat-resistant packaging, etc.

With the nature of direct contact with food, it can directly affect product quality as well as consumer health, so to limit bad effects, the Ministry of Health has set out regulations on food packaging safety and hygiene.

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2. Why should we care about food packaging standards?

There are two reasons why packaging businesses need to pay attention to food packaging standards:

1. For the health of consumers and the image of packaging businesses: Food packaging is an object that comes into direct contact with food and drinks. During use, toxic reactions can occur, contaminating food due to temperature changes, or due to improper preservation, thereby causing negative effects on the health of consumers, even affecting the reputation and image of packaging businesses.
2. Due to State regulations: To minimize the risk of chemical poisoning and food poisoning caused by chemicals from food packaging, the Ministry of Health has stipulated that businesses that produce food packaging must conduct packaging testing before announcing product quality.

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3. Standard regulations of food packaging in Vietnam

Printing ink:

Printing inks in the packaging industry must comply with regulations on food safety, the environment and consumer health, especially the regulations of importing countries. The types of inks allowed to be used include UV-based inks, water-based inks, solvent-based inks, and oil-based inks, depending on the type of packaging and printing technology.

Regulations to be followed:

• Food safety:
  • For packaging that comes into direct contact with food, the printing inks must be certified as safe, free of toxic chemicals that can migrate into food such as heavy metals, carcinogenic compounds, or chemicals that can alter the taste of food.
  • Standards such as RSPO, HACCP, ISO 22000 are often applied by ink and packaging manufacturers to ensure safety.
• Environment and consumer health:
  • Limit or eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that pollute the air and affect health.
  • Comply with regulations on waste treatment and packaging recycling to minimize environmental impact.
• Regulations of importing countries:
  • Many countries have strict regulations on printing inks, especially when exporting packaging to those markets. Businesses need to check these regulations to ensure that the product meets the requirements.

Types of inks allowed to be used:

• UV-curable Ink:
  • Popular in the modern packaging printing industry, especially flexo and offset printing, thanks to its ability to dry quickly under UV light, providing high print quality and good resistance to fading.
  • Less organic solvents, more environmentally friendly.
• Water-based Ink:
  • Commonly used for printing applications on paper, cardboard and some types of plastic.
  • Less VOC emissions, in accordance with environmental and food safety requirements.
• Oil-based Ink (Pigment Ink/Oil-based Ink):
  • Suitable for more difficult-to-print surfaces such as plastic, metal, and fabric.
  • Used for printing technologies such as flexo, offset, and screen printing.
• UV Flexo Ink:
  • A type of UV ink, commonly used in flexo technology to print on many different types of packaging, including plastic films, food bags, decal labels, and carton boxes.

Note:

• Ink ingredients (binders, colorants, solvents, additives) must be carefully selected to suit the type of packaging and printing technology.
• Check the safety certification of the ink supplier and the specific regulations of the target market before use.

Paper packaging:

In the printing packaging industry, there is no specific list of "allowed" paper types, but the types of paper used must meet quality and safety standards depending on the intended use and regulations of each country, especially for food packaging. Popular paper types include Ford, Couche, Bristol, Duplex, Ivory, Kraft, and Decal paper, each with its own characteristics of whiteness, surface, and durability, suitable for different applications such as product packaging, paper boxes, labels, and paper bags.

Laws and standards to comply with:

• Food safety: This is the most important regulation, especially for packaging that comes into direct contact with food. Paper must be certified safe, free of toxic substances, and meet food hygiene and safety regulations of Vietnam and importing countries.
• Environment: Environmental regulations related to the origin of paper, production process, and recyclability of paper are also very important.
• Packaging quality: Paper must meet the following criteria:
  • Durability: Withstand impact during transportation, storage and use.
  • Flatness and smoothness: The surface must be flat, free of smudges, ensuring print quality.
  • Ink adhesion: The ink must adhere well, not peel or fade.

Common types of paper in the packaging industry:

• Ford paper: Uncoated paper, smooth surface, non-glare, suitable for packaging that requires simple writing or printing.
• Couche paper: Paper with a coated surface (glossy or matte), for bright, sharp colors, and very good ink adhesion, suitable for printing images and logos.
• Bristol paper: Paper has a smooth, bright white surface, and high hardness, often used to make boxes for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or products that require high-end packaging.
• Duplex Paper: Paper with one white side and one gray or brown side, often used for packaging such as carton boxes, food containers thanks to its good load-bearing capacity.
• Ivory Paper: Paper with one smooth side and one rougher side, usually ivory or bright white, used for high-end packaging.
• Kraft Paper: Paper with a natural yellow-brown color, durable, tough, good load-bearing, often used for paper bag packaging, industrial product or goods boxes.
• Decal Paper: Self-adhesive paper, used to print product labels.
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper: This certification ensures that the paper is produced from sustainable wood sources, an important factor in environmental responsibility and safety.
• Food-grade greaseproof paper: This type of paper has good oil resistance, suitable for wrapping fried foods or foods high in oil.

Choosing which type of paper depends on the specific needs of the product, budget, and quality standards desired by manufacturers and consumers.

Types of paper not to use:

• Unknown recycled paper: This paper may contain toxic chemicals such as heavy metals, old ink, or other contaminants.
• Paper with an unusually shiny or smooth surface: This type of paper often contains chemical additives that are not safe for food.
• Paper with unusual stains: Any unusual stains on the paper may be a sign of bacterial or toxic chemical contamination.
• Paper printed in color or with a very thick coating: The ink or coating may peel off and get into the food.

Packaging glue:

Adhesives used in printed packaging must meet food safety and health standards, as packaging materials may come into contact with food. Commonly used adhesives include PVAc glue, PUD glue, and hot melt glue (candle glue), depending on the specific application of the packaging to ensure adhesion, flexibility, and safety.

Regulations and standards for adhesives in packaging:

• Food safety: Adhesives used for food packaging must be certified as safe, free of toxic chemicals that can migrate to food.
• Non-polluting: Adhesives must not cause any strange odor or taste to the product inside the packaging.
• Compliance with the law: Adhesive and packaging manufacturers must comply with Vietnamese and international laws on the quality and safety of materials in contact with food.

Types of glue allowed to use:

• PVAc (Polyvinyl Acetate) glue: This is a popular water-based glue, has good adhesion, can withstand bending and is widely used in gluing paper, book covers and packaging.
• PUD (Polyurethane Dispersion) glue: This water-based glue provides high adhesion, durability, and has better resistance, suitable for applications requiring high durability.
• Hot melt glue (Candle glue): Usually made from silicone resin, this glue works at high temperatures, creating a quick and strong bond without damaging the surface to be glued.
• Other specialized glues: Depending on the requirements for durability, flexibility and type of packaging material, other specialized glues can also be used.

Plastic bags:

In the printing and packaging industry, plastic bags must comply with environmental protection regulations such as the 2020 Environmental Protection Law and decisions related to plastic waste management, limiting non-degradable plastic bags and encouraging the production and use of environmentally friendly plastic bags. Types of plastic bags allowed to be used include bags from recycled materials, reusable bags, and biodegradable or biodegradable plastic bags.

Main regulations:

• 2020 Environmental Protection Law: Clearly stipulates that organizations and individuals must minimize, reuse, recycle plastic waste, produce and use non-degradable plastic bags to the necessary extent, and be responsible for collecting and treating used plastic bags.
• Decree 08/2022/ND-CP: More detailed regulations on plastic waste management, including requirements for the production and import of plastic bags from recycled materials or other materials that can replace conventional plastic bags.
• Decision 136/QD-TTg: National action program on plastic waste management, aiming to reduce plastic waste in the marine and ocean environment, prioritizing sustainable production and consumption solutions.

Types of plastic bags allowed to be used:

• Multi-use plastic bags: These are bags made from durable materials such as PP plastic, PE plastic, canvas, leather, which can be reused, to replace disposable plastic bags.
  • PP (Polypropylene): Safe for food, heat resistant, used for boxes, packaging film.
  • PE (Polyethylene): Used for bags, food wrap, bottles.
  • PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): Used for beverage bottles, food jars.
• Bags from recycled materials: Allowed to be produced and used if they comply with safety and environmental protection standards.
• Biodegradable plastic bags: Bags made from natural materials such as corn starch, PLA, PBAT or materials that can decompose naturally in suitable environmental conditions.

Powerful Applications of PBAT In packaging production:

• Replacing fossil plastics: PBAT is a biodegradable plastic that can be used as a replacement for traditional petroleum-based plastics.
• Reducing plastic waste: Using packaging made from PBAT helps reduce the amount of plastic waste accumulated in the environment, contributing to reducing pollution.

How PBAT complies with environmental laws:

• Reducing pollution: Environmental laws often focus on reducing pollution from plastic waste. PBAT helps solve this problem by degrading in the environment instead of persisting like traditional plastics.
• Complying with material regulations: Regulations may require the use of environmentally friendly materials. PBAT meets this requirement due to its biodegradable nature, helping businesses comply with regulations on the production and use of materials.
• Supporting environmental goals: The application of PBAT aligns with environmental goals such as circular economy and emission reduction, helping organizations and industries achieve these goals in a sustainable manner.

PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate) is used to comply with environmental legislation by replacing traditional, non-degradable plastics with biodegradable products in agriculture and packaging. By using PBAT, businesses and farmers reduce plastic pollution from plastic waste, while complying with increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

Differences between PBAT and PLA:

• PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate)
  • Characteristics: Soft, flexible, highly elastic.
  • Applications: Plastic bags, wrapping film, products that require good elasticity and durability.
  • Advantages: Quickly decomposes in the natural environment. PBAT has a cheaper raw material price (monomer) than PLA, which makes PBAT production costs lower.
• PLA (Polylactic Acid)
  • Characteristics: Hard, brittle, has good tensile strength but low elongation.
  • Origin: Produced from renewable resources such as corn starch, sugarcane.
  • Applications: Food packaging, eating utensils, consumer products and 3D printing.
  • Advantages: Easy to handle and biodegradable in industrial environments. PLA is a more popular bioplastic and its demand is increasing, so its price also tends to change.

Responsibility of the printing and packaging industry:

• Reduce non-degradable plastic bags: Prioritize the design and production of sustainable, environmentally friendly packaging products.
• Increase the use of recycled materials: Encourage and invest in technology to produce plastic bags from recycled materials.
• Raise public awareness: Through printing on packaging to convey environmental information, encourage consumers to use environmentally friendly bags.
• Comply with regulations: Ensure that plastic bag products are manufactured and distributed in accordance with the environmental and safety requirements of Vietnamese law.

Restricted or Prohibited Materials

• Unknown packaging: Do not use recycled materials that do not meet hygiene standards or are of unknown origin.
• Toxic materials: Do not use plastics containing banned chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging, or harmful additives.
• Restriction of single-use plastics: Due to negative impacts on the environment, the use of single-use plastic bags and foam boxes is restricted and encouraged to switch to alternative materials.
• PVC plastic containing DEHP: The plasticizer DEHP in PVC plastic is banned from use in food packaging due to the risk of causing cancer and affecting reproductive health.

Cold plastic cup material

The most common cold plastic cup materials are PET, only used for cold foods, and PP, which is more heat-resistant. They should not be used for very hot foods or in the microwave, and must comply with food safety regulations, limit repeated use to avoid chemicals seeping into food, and recycle properly to protect the environment.

Laws and standards to be followed (should):

• Food safety:
  • Plastic cups must be made from safe plastics, allowed to come into contact with food, and not contain toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, or phthalates.
  • Products must have a clear origin and be certified by competent food safety management agencies.
• Use suitable materials:
  • PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) cups: Usually used for cold drinks, not suitable for hot drinks or drinks over 60-80°C.
  • PP (Polypropylene) Cups: Withstand higher temperatures (up to 100-120°C) and are often preferred for products that can be exposed to high temperatures.
• Proper storage:
  • The production and storage area must be dry, cool, and away from direct sunlight to avoid changing the plastic material.
  • Do not place plastic cups near high heat sources such as gas stoves or ovens.

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4. Summary

For the food packaging printing industry, the law requires ensuring that printed materials do not adversely affect consumers' health, do not contaminate food with toxic substances, and comply with food hygiene and safety regulations during the production process.