Food contact chemicals along with food contact materials make up the food contact articles we use to process and pack food and beverages. However, food contact chemicals can transfer from articles into food as they are not chemically bound to materials. As a result, food contact chemicals that are known to be taken up by humans through their food or beverage, and that are known to have associated health concerns, should be avoided in food contact applications. 

There is now ample research showing that certain classes of chemicals are linked with harm to human health. There has also been greater research into alternatives to these chemicals that offer similar chemical properties but are safer for humans. Known classes of chemicals of concern should be replaced with safer alternatives.