Understanding Food-Grade Packaging Certifications: What Buyers Need to Know

Sourcing food-grade flexible packaging requires navigating a maze of certifications. Here's what each one actually means for your product safety and regulatory compliance.

FDA Approved Materials

The US Food and Drug Administration maintains a list of substances Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for food contact. Packaging materials must use only FDA-compliant resins and inks. Any supplier exporting to the US market must provide FDA food-contact declarations.

ISO 22000:2018

This international standard combines food safety management with HACCP principles. Certification requires documented systems covering hazard analysis, critical control points, and continuous improvement processes.

BRC Global Standard for Packaging Materials

Adopted by major retailers worldwide, BRC certification is now a prerequisite for supplying many supermarket chains. The standard covers quality management, factory site standards, product/process control, and personnel competence.

FSSC 22000

Built on ISO 22000 foundations with additional PRPs (Prerequisite Programs), FSSC 22000 is GFSI-recognized and increasingly preferred by global food brands seeking supply chain assurance.