Food Contact
Assessment of suitability for food contact
Within the scope of products for the technical cork stopper market, one of the main requirements is their aptitude for food contact. Aware of this fact, FLEXPUR assumed, from its inception, the commitment to ensure the maximum safety of its product, so it established the following philosophy as the basis for the development and production of its products - Safe, Clean and Neutral.
Based on this assumption, a process that guarantees a reduced risk of contamination has been implemented:
- Quality control of all raw materials
- Dedicated tanks
- Automated process
- Dedicated reactors
- Dedicated discharge lines
The development of products for the production of stoppers is also subject to a rigorous process of food compliance verification carried out by laboratories duly accredited and experienced in the food sector. All steps are followed in order to ensure compliance with the legislation that regulates materials intended to come into contact with food and, in some cases, with the definition of internal rules that go beyond the legislation itself, such as the policy of not using catalysts in the products.
Based on this assumption, a process that guarantees a reduced risk of contamination has been implemented:
- Quality control of all raw materials
- Dedicated tanks
- Automated process
- Dedicated reactors
- Dedicated discharge lines
The development of products for the production of stoppers is also subject to a rigorous process of food compliance verification carried out by laboratories duly accredited and experienced in the food sector. All steps are followed in order to ensure compliance with the legislation that regulates materials intended to come into contact with food and, in some cases, with the definition of internal rules that go beyond the legislation itself, such as the policy of not using catalysts in the products.
US Market
The suitability of a given product for food contact depends on the market where it is sold, which may present different legislation from that of the country of production. The case of the US market, which is regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), is an important challenge given its size, but also its specific regulations based on different assumptions from those of the European Union.
Recently the FDA issued an opinion in which it defended the lack of regulation for cork agglomerate stoppers and therefore the need to obtain a FCN (Food Contact Notification) for products in order to certify the safe use of stoppers.
Based on FLEXPUR's constant concern with the subject of food contact, this challenge was taken up and, after a long analytical work and cooperation with its partners, culminated in obtaining FCN nº 2002 for one of our products. This FCN, effective since 3 October 2019 and available online in the Inventory of effective FCNs, demonstrates FLEXPUR's technical and human capacity and consolidates its position as a true innovative partner in the industry of production of technical cork stoppers.
Recently the FDA issued an opinion in which it defended the lack of regulation for cork agglomerate stoppers and therefore the need to obtain a FCN (Food Contact Notification) for products in order to certify the safe use of stoppers.
Based on FLEXPUR's constant concern with the subject of food contact, this challenge was taken up and, after a long analytical work and cooperation with its partners, culminated in obtaining FCN nº 2002 for one of our products. This FCN, effective since 3 October 2019 and available online in the Inventory of effective FCNs, demonstrates FLEXPUR's technical and human capacity and consolidates its position as a true innovative partner in the industry of production of technical cork stoppers.
