China's Food-Contact Standard Revisions in 2026: What Paper and Plastic Tableware Makers Need to Track

China's food-contact material standard system continues to evolve in 2026. National standards bodies are revising definitions for food-contact materials and effective barrier layers, and adding safety assessment requirements for non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) - changes that affect paper tableware, plastic tableware and food packaging producers.

Key 2026 developments

• Revision of terminology for food-contact materials and finished products
• New requirements for assessing non-intentionally added substances in materials
• Continued implementation of the 2025-published national standards taking effect in 2026, including updated migration-test requirements
• Ongoing national standards work on plastic single-use tableware general technical requirements (TC397)

For manufacturers, the direction is clear: food-contact products need more rigorous migration testing, material declarations and traceability documentation than ever before.

What buyers should ask suppliers

When sourcing paper cups, PLA-coated tableware or food packaging, request up-to-date food-contact test reports aligned with the current national standard system. Verify that the supplier monitors standard revisions - documentation based on outdated standards may not satisfy 2026 tender requirements.

Source: Food Contact Science - June 2026 standard revision progress; CIRS - Four food-contact standards effective 2026