Exporting LFGB-certified rice husk tableware to European buyers requires compliance with the strict food contact materials (FCM) regulations of the European Union as well as environmental protection standards. LFGB is the abbreviation of “Lebensmittel- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch” (Food and Feed Law). LFGB certification is a German food and household goods law certification, which replaced the old regulation LMBG on September 2005 and is the most important basic legal document in the field of food hygiene management in Germany. All materials and goods in contact with food must undergo safety tests before entering the German market, proving that they do not contain toxic substances that pose a hazard to human health. The core requirement is that all materials and goods in contact with food must undergo safety tests before entering the German market, proving that they do not contain toxic substances that pose a hazard to human health.
Rice husk tableware is usually made of plant fiber composite plastic. If the rice husk material is not handled properly, it may produce odors or release contaminants when in contact with hot or acidic foods. The LFGB certification testing is more stringent than the general EU standards and mainly includes the following items:
1. Sensory Testing (a unique feature of LFGB)
•Evaluate whether the tableware will affect the smell or taste of the food (This requires an immersion test under 40°C conditions, using 3% acetic acid and olive oil to simulate the food. Any odor other than that of the food itself will result in non-compliance.)
•This is the most prone-to-problematic part for natural materials (such as rice husks)
2. Migration Test
•The extent to which harmful substances in the materials migrate into the food
•Conduct tests using different simulation liquids (water, acid, alcohol, oil)
3. Detection of heavy metal content
•Check whether the levels of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium exceed the standards (for example, lead ≤ 0.01mg/kg, cadmium ≤ 0.005mg/kg)
•The LFGB has very strict limits for heavy metals
4. Detection of Specific Hazardous Substances
•Formaldehyde emission (for wood products and plastics) (Emission of free formaldehyde limit ≤ 15mg/kg)
•Pentachlorophenol (PCP) (The limit value is usually required to be ≤ 0.05 mg/kg)
•Azo dyes (AZO, for dyeing and printing products) (Ensure that no prohibited azo dyes that can decompose into aromatic amines are used)
•Plasticizers, organotin compounds
5. Physical performance testing
•Temperature resistance, durability, mechanical strength, etc
The knife and fork logo is an authoritative mark of LFGB certification, indicating that the product has passed the LFGB safety test and complies with German and European standards. In the European market, products with the knife and fork logo can significantly enhance consumer confidence and are a powerful marketing tool, which can enhance product competitiveness and premium pricing. Most rice husk tableware has a heat resistance range of -20°C to 100°C or 120°C. Buyers need to confirm whether the product is suitable for dishwasher cleaning and microwave heating, and provide clear temperature upper limit guidelines to catering customers. Rice husk tableware is lighter and less fragile than traditional ceramics, and is very suitable for outdoor use, picnics or children’s use.
From 2025 to 2026, the LFGB regulations continued to be updated, with stricter control over bio-based materials. Higher requirements were set for the migration of formaldehyde in materials such as bamboo fibers and rice husks. Starting from 2026, new regulations for food contact material printing inks came into effect. The transitional period ended on July 20, 2026, and products must clearly label “BPA Free”. High-quality rice husk tableware must pass tests for no presence of bisphenol A (BPA), and the migration amounts of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury must be below the detection limit. Rice husk tableware is made from rice husks (agricultural by-products) and is biodegradable, conforming to the strict environmental protection trends of the European Union (such as the PPWR packaging regulations). This is an advantage that petroleum-based plastic tableware cannot match.
