Food-Safe Materials and Regulations for Takeaway Boxes

Understanding food-safe materials for takeaway boxes

Common materials used in takeaway boxes

Takeaway boxes are made from a range of substrates and coatings. The most common include:

• Kraft paper and virgin paperboard — lightweight, recyclable, often used for dry foods and lightweight meals.
• Recycled paperboard — cost-effective and eco-friendly but can contain contaminants that require barrier treatments for wet or fatty foods.
• Coated paperboard (PE, PLA, or EVOH lining) — provides moisture and grease resistance for hot and wet foods.
• Plastic (mono‑material PET/PP) — used for transparency and strong moisture resistance; increasingly replaced by coated paper for sustainability.
• Aluminum foil laminate — excellent grease and moisture barrier used for high‑temperature applications.
• Bioplastics (PLA, starch blends) — biodegradable/compostable options with certain temperature limitations.

What makes a material food-safe?

A food‑safe material must meet three practical criteria: it should not transfer harmful substances to food under intended use; it should maintain organoleptic properties (no off‑odours or tastes); and it should have predictable barrier performance (moisture, oil, gas) for the food being packed. Compliance relies on appropriate material selection, inks, adhesives and barrier treatments, plus validated testing that simulates real‑use conditions.

Regulations and testing standards for food contact packaging

Key global regulations affecting takeaway boxes

Packaging manufacturers and brand owners must be aware of national and regional food contact regulations. Important references include:

• EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 — general principles for all materials intended to contact food (inertness, traceability, Good Manufacturing Practice).
• EU Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 — specific rules for plastic materials and articles in contact with food (migration testing, authorized substances).
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — food contact substances and guidance for materials used in food packaging (21 CFR for certain plastics, and FDA’s general guidance pages).
• Standards for compostability/biodegradability such as ASTM D6400 (U.S.) and EN 13432 (EU) for materials labeled as compostable.

These regulations require documentation, traceability and, in many cases, migration testing or specific authorization of additives (inks, coatings, adhesives).

Testing and certification: what to ask for

Typical tests and certificates that verify food safety include:

• Overall Migration Tests — determine total non‑volatile material migrating into food simulants under specified conditions.
• Specific Migration Tests — measure migration of specific substances (e.g., monomers, plasticizers, heavy metals) against regulatory limits.
• Grease and Oil Resistance Tests — evaluate suitability for fatty foods (useful for pizza, fried foods).
• Simulant Testing — using food simulants (aqueous, acidic, alcoholic, fatty) to replicate interaction with different food types.
• Compostability or Biodegradability Certificates — for materials claimed as compostable (ASTM D6400, EN 13432, OK Compost).

Request test reports that reference the standard used, the food simulant and the contact conditions (time/temperature). Independent third‑party lab reports (ISO/IEC 17025 accredited) are preferred.

Choosing the right material for your takeaway boxes

Material comparison: pros, cons and regulatory notes

Data sources and standards are provided at the end of this article — always check the latest regional regulations for the market you serve.

Coatings, barriers and printing considerations

Printing inks, varnishes and adhesives are common sources of migrants. Best practices:

• Use food‑grade inks and adhesives with documented compliance (request Declaration of Conformity and test reports).
• When using recycled fiber, consider a functional barrier (e.g., PE, EVOH) between recycled pulp and food.
• Select coatings that balance barrier needs and end‑of‑life goals (recyclability vs. compostability).
• Avoid direct printing on the inside surface of the box if inks are not certified for food contact.

Implementation: manufacturing, quality control and supplier checklist

Production best practices for safe takeaway boxes

Manufacturers should implement Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for food contact materials, including:

• Traceability of raw materials (lot numbers, certificates of analysis).
• Dedicated lines or validated wash/clean procedures to avoid cross‑contamination with non‑food materials.
• Controlled storage conditions to prevent moisture pickup and contamination.
• In‑process checks for print bleed, coating continuity, and seal integrity (for glued or heat‑sealed constructions).
• Retention of batch samples and test reports for at least the legally required period for your market.

Supplier and audit checklist

When qualifying a supplier for takeaway boxes, request or verify:

• Declarations of conformity to relevant regulations (e.g., EU Reg. 1935/2004, FDA guidance).
• Third‑party lab reports for overall and specific migration relevant to intended food contact conditions.
• Certificates for compostability (if claiming compostable) from recognized bodies (e.g., TÜV, DIN CERTCO).
• Quality management systems (ISO 9001) and, where applicable, food safety schemes that include packaging (e.g., BRCGS Packaging Materials).
• Evidence of Good Manufacturing Practice for materials (e.g., GMP compliance per Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 in the EU).

About Winpack — manufacturing capability and advantages

In 2016, Guangdong Winpack Printing Technology Development Co., Ltd. was officially established as a professional paper box printing manufacturer specializing in designing, proofing, printing, and producing a wide range of packaging and printed materials. Our services include customized production of stickers, labels, paper bags, gift boxes, beauty boxes, pizza boxes, books, brochures, flyers, etc. Winpack caters to diverse industries, including cosmetics, food, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. Our 15,000-square-meter factory is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. We utilize an advanced screen plate-making system and top-tier machinery such as the Heidelberg printing machine, high-speed paper cutter, Lithrone GL-40A machine, and anti-counterfeiting inkjet printer to ensure superior quality and efficiency. Our vision is to become the world's leading custom paper box packaging manufacturer. Our website is https://www.winpackprinting.com/

Winpack advantages and core product lines:

• Technical strength: advanced plate-making, high-precision presses (Heidelberg, Lithrone GL-40A), and anti-counterfeiting printing for brand protection.
• Quality & capacity: 15,000 m2 factory with streamlined production lines for short lead times and consistent quality control.
• Industry coverage: proven experience with cosmetics, food and beverage, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and electronics.
• Key products: custom gable boxes, custom gift boxes, custom display boxes, custom rigid boxes, custom folding boxes, custom paper tubes boxes, custom window boxes, custom special-shape boxes, custom pillow boxes, custom take out boxes.
• Competitive differentiators: integrated design-to-production workflow, certified equipment, and ability to tailor coatings/barriers for food-safety requirements.

For food service brands requiring food-safe takeaway boxes, Winpack can provide compliance documentation, sample testing coordination and production options across recyclable, coated, and compostable substrates.

Practical recommendations and checklist for product owners

How to specify takeaway boxes for regulatory compliance

When placing an order, include the following in product specifications:

1. Intended food type(s) (dry, wet, acidic, fatty) and service temperature (cold, ambient, hot).
2. Intended contact time (short-term: minutes/hours; long-term: days).
3. End‑of‑life claim (recyclable, compostable, reusable) with certification requirements.
4. Required testing and documentation (overall/specific migration, grease resistance, compostability certificate).
5. Printing restrictions (no inks inside food contact area unless certified).

Sample testing and verification

Before mass production:

• Request pre-production samples that match the final material/ink/adhesive combination.
• Arrange independent lab testing for the most relevant simulants and contact conditions (e.g., hot oily food at elevated temperature for pizza boxes).
• Retain samples from initial production runs and maintain a dossier with COAs and lab reports.

FAQ — common questions about food-safe takeaway boxes

1. Are kraft takeaway boxes safe for hot and greasy foods?

Plain kraft paper is generally safe but lacks grease and moisture resistance. For hot and greasy foods, use kraft board with a food‑grade barrier coating (PE, PLA or EVOH) or a grease‑resistant surface treatment and verify with grease resistance and migration testing.

2. Can recycled paperboard be used for takeaway boxes?

Yes, but recycled paperboard often contains residual mineral oil and contaminants. If used for direct food contact, a certified functional barrier or validated migration test reports are recommended to ensure safety.

3. What does ‘compostable’ on a takeaway box label really mean?

Certified compostable means the material has passed tests such as EN 13432 (EU) or ASTM D6400 (U.S.) that evaluate biodegradation, disintegration and ecotoxicity under industrial composting conditions. Compostable packaging may not break down properly in home compost or landfill environments — check the certification and disposal instructions.

4. Do printed designs on the inside of boxes affect food safety?

Yes — inks can be a source of migrants. Avoid printing inside surfaces that contact food unless inks are specifically certified for food contact and supported by migration test reports.

5. What documentation should a supplier provide to prove food safety?

Ask for Declarations of Conformity aligned to applicable regulations (e.g., EU 1935/2004), third‑party laboratory reports for migration tests (ISO/IEC 17025 labs), certificates for compostability (if claimed), and details of GMP and quality certifications (e.g., ISO 9001, BRCGS Packaging Materials).

6. How does recyclability interplay with food safety?

Recyclability is separate from food‑safety performance. Some food‑safe coatings or laminations can hinder recycling; conversely, recyclability requirements can restrict the choice of coatings. Balance regulatory compliance, functional performance and end‑of‑life goals when selecting materials.

Need help specifying or sourcing compliant takeaway boxes? Contact Winpack for design, sample testing coordination, and mass production of custom take out boxes and other food packaging solutions. Visit https://www.winpackprinting.com/ to view product options and request a quote.

References and further reading

• European Parliament and Council, Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food — https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2004/1935/oj (accessed 2026-01-08)
• Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food — https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/10/oj (accessed 2026-01-08)
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — Food Contact Substances & Packaging Guidance — https://www.fda.gov/food/packaging-food-contact-substances-fcs (accessed 2026-01-08)
• ASTM International — ASTM D6400 Standard Specification for labeling of plastics designed to be composted in municipal and industrial aerobic composting facilities — https://www.astm.org/Standards/D6400.htm (accessed 2026-01-08)
• EN 13432 — Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation — overview: European Commission and national standards bodies (https://standards.cen.eu/ / consult national mirror committees) (accessed 2026-01-08)
• TÜV Austria — OK Compost and compostability certification information — https://www.tuv-at.be/en/certification/ok-compost/ (accessed 2026-01-08)
• BRCGS — Packaging Materials standard (for packaging manufacturers) — https://www.brcgs.com/ (accessed 2026-01-08)