When Is the Food Contact Materials Symbol Required?

The Food Contact Materials symbol, also known as the glass and fork symbol, identifies materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

Under Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, the symbol is required when a product's food-contact purpose is not obvious, unless this purpose is stated in words instead. Products clearly intended for food contact, such as plates, drinking glasses and cutlery, do not normally need the symbol. This requirement applies to materials and articles that have not yet come into contact with food when they are placed on the market.

Which Products Need the Food Contact Materials Symbol?

You will typically need the symbol on products such as packaging films and bags, food storage containers, food-contact parts of kitchen appliances and coffee machines, baking moulds, cling film, and components that come into contact with food during processing or storage.

You will usually not need it on products such as knives, plates or mugs, because their intended food-contact use is already obvious.

What Happens if the Food Contact Symbol Is Missing?

Missing or incorrect food-contact labelling can result in compliance issues, customs holds or marketplace listings being deactivated.
The symbol alone does not demonstrate full food-contact compliance. Depending on the material, additional documentation and requirements may apply. For example, plastic food-contact materials are subject to the specific requirements of Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, including applicable documentation and migration requirements.

Download the Food Contact Materials symbol on top of this page in SVG, PNG and PDF format. The files are free to use and redistribute. 

Use SVG for packaging artwork and professional printing, PNG for online listings and documents, or PDF for your printer.