Factsheet
NIAS in packaging (Non-Intentionally Added Substances)
Publication date: May 4, 2022
Organisation: KIDV
Food packaging - referred to in legislation as food contact materials - may contain substances that are not intentionally added and may pose a risk to food safety. These substances are often referred to as NIAS (Non-Intentionally Added Substances).
Non-intentionally added substances were included in the European Plastics Regulation for the first time in 2011. Since then, there has been increasing attention to these substances. They can end up in food packaging materials in various ways, for example as a contaminant in the raw material or as a result of a reaction during the production process.
The KIDV has produced the fact sheet NIAS with background information on the origin, possible risks and applicable legislation of these substances.
This fact sheet is part of a series of KIDV fact sheets on food safety, published in May 2022. For more information, see our dossier page on Food Safety