Baby Food Packaging: Safety Standards & Certification Guide
Crucial information on BPA-free materials, migration testing, FDA/EU regulations, and creating safe, trust-building packaging for infant nutrition.
Written by MyPlast Technical Team
Summary: In the baby food sector, "Safety" isn't a feature; it's the foundation of your brand. This guide details the rigorous testing, material selection, and regulatory landscape required to package infant nutrition safely.
The Regulatory Landscape: Zero Tolerance
Infants are more vulnerable to chemical contaminants than adults due to their low body weight and developing systems. Consequently, regulations are incredibly strict.
Key Global Standards
- EU Regulation 10/2011: The plastic implementation measure. Specific Migration Limits (SML) for infant food are far lower than general food.
- FDA 21 CFR 177: US standards for indirect food additives.
- China GB Standards: Increasingly relevant for global exporters.
Chemical Safety: Beyond "BPA-Free"
While "BPA-Free" is the market standard, safety goes much deeper.
Migration explained
Migration is the transfer of chemical substances from the packaging into the food. It increases with:
- High Temperatures (Retort/Hot-fill)
- Fatty Foods (Milk, meat purees)
- Acidic Foods (Fruit purees)
- Long contact times (Shelf life)
Critical Substances to Avoid
- Phthalates: Plasticizers often found in PVC (rarely used in flexible packaging now).
- Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons (MOSH/MOAH): Often migrate from recycled paper/cardboard secondary packaging or printing inks.
- Primary Aromatic Amines (PAAs): Potential by-products in polyurethane adhesives.
High-Barrier Retort Pouches
Most wet baby food (purees) is processed via Retort (sterilization inside the pouch at 121°C). The packaging must withstand this heat without delaminating or shrinking.
Structure: PET / AL / OPA (Nylon) / CPP (Retort Grade)
- OPA (Nylon): Added for puncture resistance and toughness.
- CPP (Cast Polypropylene): The only sealant that withstands retort temperatures (PE melts at ~110°C).
Child Safety Features
Packaging must protect the child from the product, but also from the package itself.
- Anti-Choke Caps: Large caps (33mm+) on sprout pouches designed so they cannot be swallowed by a toddler.
- Rounded Corners: Flexible pouches must have die-cut rounded corners to prevent cuts to baby's skin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are "Low Migration" Inks?
These are printing inks formulated with higher molecular weight components that are less likely to migrate through the film substrate. They are mandatory for baby food packaging printing.
Is aluminum foil safe for baby food?
Yes. The aluminum layer is sandwiched between plastic layers and never touches the food directly. The inner food-contact layer is typically high-purity Polypropylene (CPP) or Polyethylene.
What is an OML test?
Overall Migration Limit (OML) test measures the total amount of non-volatile substances released by the packaging. The EU limit is 10mg per dm² of surface area.
Conclusion
Trust is hard to gain and easy to lose. Using certified, tested, and compliant packaging materials is the only way to safeguard your little consumers and your business reputation.
MyPlast creates packaging that meets the strictest EU and FDA standards for infant nutrition.
Verify Our Certifications →