Figure 1.

Explanation of key terms. Food contact articles (FCAs) are combinations of different FCMs, which consist of food contact chemicals (FCCs) (e.g., a yogurt cup made of polystyrene with printing inks and a coated aluminum cover glued on with adhesives). Food contact materials consist of mixtures of many FCCs. Food contact chemicals are defined as substances used and/or present in the manufacture of FCMs and/or present in FCMs and/or FCAs. Some FCCs are starting substances that no longer exist in the FCM/FCA. Some FCCs are generated during manufacture of an FCM/FCA. Not all FCCs require an authorization, and they are not necessarily subject to risk assessment by an authority.