Bangladesh Notifies Draft Regulation on Food Contact Materials

Recently, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority submitted notification G/SPS/N/BGD/12, announcing plans to update the draft regulation on food contact materials. The *Food Safety (Food Contact Materials) Regulation, 2024 (Draft)* sets forth guidelines to ensure the food safety of food contact materials. Issued under the *Food Safety Act, 2013*, the regulation defines key terms including food-grade materials, migration limits, simulants, and labeling standards.

The regulation applies to the production, processing, storage, import, and sale of food contact materials. It requires hygienic packaging, implementation of quality control, and provides a list of recommended materials for specific food categories. Standards for paper, glass, metal, and plastic packaging are also stipulated. Compliance will be monitored through inspections, and violators may face penalties. Once adopted, the new regulation will replace the *Food Safety (Food Contact Materials) Regulation, 2019*.

According to the notification, the regulation is scheduled for adoption on November 1, 2025, and publication on December 1, 2025. It will enter into force six months after publication in the official gazette.

Table: Specific Migration Limits for Substances in Plastic Materials Intended for Food Contact in Bangladesh (mg/kg)

In recent years, Bangladesh has been gradually aligning its food safety regulations with international standards (such as ISO, Codex) and the European Union model. Regarding food contact materials, Bangladesh's specific migration limits largely converge with those of the EU, particularly for substances such as barium, copper, iron, and antimony, which are consistent with EU Regulation (EU) 2020/1245. In addition, BPA and DEHP will be subject to significant regulatory oversight. Although current limits are somewhat more lenient than those of the EU, it is expected that Bangladesh will gradually revise its standards to narrow this gap.

For exporters, compliance with the target market's requirements is essential. Products exported to Bangladesh must meet the latest standards to avoid rejection or penalties due to limit discrepancies. Moreover, companies should closely monitor regulatory developments, such as potential tightening of BPA/DEHP limits or an expanded list of regulated substances, and make timely adjustments to raw material sourcing and production processes to ensure compliance.