In May 2026, the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) issued multiple notifications concerning food contact materials (FCMs). The alerts highlight ongoing compliance issues related to heavy metal migration, primary aromatic amine (PAA) release, and incomplete documentation.
Summary of Notifications (May 2026)
Release Date | Reference | Product Name | Notification Type | Notifying Country | Reason |
2026-05-28 | 2026.4680 | Drinking glass | Alert notification | Poland | Substance migration: lead migration (29.80 mg); Heavy metals: cadmium migration (2.69 mg) |
2026-05-26 | 2026.4607 | Drinking glass | Alert notification | Slovakia | Heavy metals: cadmium migration (0.73 mg/item); Substance migration: lead migration (3.38 mg/item) |
2026-05-26 | 2026.4579 | Nylon ladle | Information notification | Poland | Substance migration: primary aromatic amine migration [4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane 0.018±0.005 (Sample I: 0.015±0.004; Sample II: 0.027±0.007; Sample III: 0.013±0.004) mg/kg·ppm] |
2026-05-13 | 2026.4239 | Nylon kitchen utensil | Border rejection | Ireland | Incomplete documentation (lack of laboratory test report supporting the declaration of conformity) |
2026-05-13 | 2026.4212 | Various plastic kitchenware | Border rejection | European Commission | Insufficient inspection and lack of certified analysis reports |
2026-05-12 | 2026.4172 | Nylon kitchen utensil | Follow-up information | Belgium | Substance migration: primary aromatic amine migration (0.0069±0.0013 mg/kg·ppm) |
2026-05-12 | 2026.4141 | Aluminum drinking bottle | Follow-up information | Netherlands | Composition: aluminum migration (20 mg/kg·ppm) |
2026-05-04 | 2026.3907 | BBQ grill plate | Alert notification | Belgium | Composition: aluminum migration (10, 10 and 11 mg/dm²) |
Key Issues Identified
1. Heavy Metal Migration – Glassware
Glass products notified by Poland and Slovakia exceeded EU limits for lead and cadmium migration, with lead levels reaching as high as 29.80 mg per item.
2. Primary Aromatic Amine (PAA) Migration – Nylon Utensils
Multiple nylon kitchen utensils were flagged for PAA migration, particularly 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane. Levels ranged from 0.0069 to 0.027 mg/kg·ppm, raising concerns about the safety of nylon food contact materials.
3. Aluminum Migration – Metal Products
An aluminum drinking bottle (Netherlands) and a BBQ grill plate (Belgium) both showed excessive aluminum migration, highlighting the need for stricter quality control on metal-based FCMs.
Implications for Exporters
These RASFF alerts send a clear message to manufacturers and suppliers of food contact materials:
- Migration limits for heavy metals (lead, cadmium, aluminum) and PAAs must be strictly controlled
- Proper documentation, including certified laboratory test reports, is essential for market access
- Routine compliance testing by accredited laboratories is strongly recommended before exporting to the EU
How CIRS Testing Can Help
CIRS Testing provides comprehensive compliance solutions for food contact materials, including:
- Heavy metal migration testing (lead, cadmium, aluminum, etc.)
- Primary aromatic amine (PAA) migration testing for nylon products
- Testing according to EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and relevant national standards
At CIRS Testing, we help you navigate complex regulatory landscapes and ensure your products are safe and reliable. If you need any assistance or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at test@cirs-group.com.