Food contact approval of paper-based cups – DairyFibreCup

In 2022, FCMtesting participated in the DairyFibreCup project – a collaboration between Arla Foods, Dagrofa and Danish Technological InstituteThe goal was to develop a paper-based cup for fermented dairy products that could reduce the carbon footprint and reduce the use of plastic, without compromising on quality or consumer experience.

The new cup is made from cellulose fibers with a thin, biodegradable barrier coating. The material is waterproof, robust and provides a firm and tight packaging experience – while being recyclable like cardboard.

Challenges in food contact approval of paper-based cups

In order for the cups to be used for fermented dairy products, they had to comply with the legislation for food contact materials. The project had a particular focus on:

• Assessment of the suitability of cellulose fibres and barrier materials for direct food contact
• Documentation of moisture barrier and tightness under realistic application conditions
• Ensuring compliance with applicable EU regulations and national requirements
• Handling of technically complex materials with high documentation requirements

FCMtesting's role in the project

FCMtesting contributed with selected tests and assessments according to food contact legislation. The work included:

• Identification of critical contact zones in the paper-based cups
• Preparation of a test strategy adapted to the material and production process
• Assessment of test results and documentation of compliance with both national and EU requirements
• Focus on efficient food contact approval without unnecessary tests or delays

The goal was to ensure that the cups could be approved for food contact, while the project could maintain focus on environmental and design goals.

The result: Ready for industrial production

The project achieved:

• Paper-based cups approved for use with fermented dairy products
• Documentation of compliance with applicable legislation
• Possibility to proceed towards industrial production without regulatory obstacles
• Combining sustainability, functionality and consumer experience

DairyFibreCup shows how targeted testing and professional advice can accelerate the introduction of new, sustainable materials in food production.

Perspective for the industry

Several companies want to replace plastic with fibers and other sustainable materials. The case shows how FCMtesting can help to:

• Navigating complex food contact requirements
• Document compliance for new and innovative materials
• Ensure an efficient and regulatory safe introduction to the market

Do you have a similar challenge?

We are happy to help assess materials, documentation and compliance in practice. 
Contact us for a non-binding professional dialogue.