Food-Grade Packaging: Materials, Certifications & Compliance for Exporters
Short answer: Food-grade packaging is made from approved, non-toxic materials and inks that are safe for direct food contact, and is verified by testing and documentation such as FDA (US), EU Regulation 10/2011 (Europe), and LFGB (Germany). If your product touches food or the mouth, you should require food-grade materials and migration test reports before you order. This guide explains what makes packaging food-grade and how to verify a supplier.
What makes packaging “food-grade”?
Food-grade means every layer that can contact the food — the film, any coating, and the printing inks — is manufactured from approved raw materials that will not transfer harmful substances into the product. It is not a marketing word; it is backed by regulated material lists and migration testing that measures whether anything leaches from the packaging into the food.
Key food-contact standards by region
| Market | Standard | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| United States | FDA 21 CFR | Approved food-contact substances and materials |
| European Union | Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 & (EU) 10/2011 | Food-contact materials and plastics, migration limits |
| Germany | LFGB | Food, consumer goods and feed safety |
| Global testing | Third-party labs (e.g. SGS) | Migration and composition test reports |
Requirements differ by destination market, so confirm which standard applies where you sell before printing and ordering.
Food-grade materials
Common food-safe structures include food-grade PE (polyethylene), PP, PET, and foil laminates for high-barrier needs. The right choice depends on the product — dry, oily, acidic or frozen foods behave differently. See our overview of packaging materials and our food-grade packaging bags. For coffee, tea and supplements, a foil-laminated stand-up pouch combines food safety with a strong freshness barrier.
Inks, coatings and closures matter too
Food safety is not only about the film. Printing inks must be low-migration and kept out of direct food contact, and any zipper, valve or coating in the food zone must also be food-grade. Ask your supplier to confirm the full structure, not just the base film.
How to verify a supplier is truly food-grade
- Ask for documentation — food-grade material declarations for the specific film and inks.
- Request test reports — migration or composition testing from a recognized lab for your destination market.
- Match the standard to your market — FDA, EU 10/2011 or LFGB as required.
- Check the whole structure — film, coating, ink and closure, not just the outer layer.
- Confirm quality control — a manufacturer with ISO 9001 and pre-shipment inspection is more likely to keep material consistent batch to batch.
About Bowen New Material
Bowen New Material (Dongguan) Co., Ltd. is an OEM/ODM custom packaging manufacturer. We produce food-grade bags and pouches from approved materials, support third-party testing on request, and run ISO 9001 quality control with 100% pre-shipment inspection. Explore our custom packaging service or product range.
Frequently asked questions
What does food-grade packaging mean?
It means the packaging is made from approved, non-toxic materials and inks that are safe for direct food contact and will not transfer harmful substances into the food, verified by testing and documentation.
How do I know if a packaging bag is food-safe?
Ask the manufacturer for a food-grade material declaration and a migration or composition test report from a recognized lab that matches your destination market’s standard (FDA, EU 10/2011 or LFGB).
Is all plastic packaging food-grade?
No. Only packaging made from approved food-contact resins with compliant inks and coatings is food-grade. General-purpose film is not automatically safe for food.
Which packaging is best for keeping food fresh?
Foil-laminated pouches offer the highest barrier to light, oxygen and moisture, which is why they are used for coffee, tea, supplements and other sensitive foods.
Do printing inks need to be food-safe?
Yes. Inks must be low-migration and are typically kept out of the direct food-contact surface. Confirm ink safety along with the film when you order.
Need certified food-grade packaging? Tell us your product and destination market and we will recommend a compliant structure and provide documentation. Request a custom quote.