On February 5, 2026, the National Health Commission issued Announcement No. 1 of 2026, approving the expansion of the use of calcium sulfate to polylactic acid (PLA) plastic materials and products; and approving polyethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate (PEF) as a new type of food contact resin for use in plastic materials and products.
**New Food-Related Product Interpretation Materials**
-Calcium Sulfate: The National Food Safety Standard for Additives Used in Food Contact Materials and Products (GB 9685-2016) has already approved this substance as an additive for various plastic materials and products such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyamide (PA). This announcement approves its expansion to polylactic acid (PLA) plastic materials and products. This substance, as an additive, can improve the mechanical properties of PLA plastic materials and products.
Safety assessments have shown that PLA plastic materials and products containing calcium sulfate are safe when used at temperatures not exceeding 70°C, for durations not exceeding 2 hours, and for single-use only.
Given the insufficient safety data regarding calcium sulfate for use in infants and young children, and based on the principle of risk precaution, the use of this type of material in the production of food contact materials and products specifically for infants and young children is restricted. Other usage requirements shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of this announcement.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies this substance as a "generally recognized as safe substance"; the European Commission and the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment both permit its use in food contact PLA plastic materials and products.
