Safe & Compliant Food Packaging Inks
FDA/EU compliant low-migration solutions for flexible packaging, labels, and paperboard. High-performance water-based and UV inks with superior adhesion and low odor.
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Food packaging challenges? Weโve engineered the answers.
Migration & Safety Risks
Substances migrating from ink into food can cause health hazards.
Heat & Retort Resistance
Inks that fail after pasteurization or steam cooking.
Scuffing & Logistics Wear
Damaged barcodes or ink rub-off during transport.
Regulatory Compliance by Product Series
Every StarColor food packaging ink series is formulated and tested against specific global food contact regulations. Refer to the table below to verify compliance for your target market.
| Product Series | Ink Type | FDA 21 CFR 175.300 | EU 10/2011 | GB 9685-2016 | Swiss Ordinance | Nestlรฉ Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC1000 (Water-Based Flexo) | Water-Based | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | โ | โ |
| LM Series (Low Migration) | Solvent-Based / UV | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant | Compliant |
| SC4000 (Water-Based) | Water-Based | Compliant | Pending | Compliant | โ | โ |
| UV7000 (UV Flexo) | UV-LED | Compliant | Compliant | Pending | โ | โ |
Compliant Independently tested & verified. Pending Under evaluation, contact us for status. โ Not applicable to this product category.
Ink solutions by packaging type
Flexible Packaging
For PE, PET, BOPP films โ pouches, sachets, wrappers.
- Water-based flexo/gravure
- Solvent-based low migration
- Excellent bond & gas barrier
Labels & Sleeves
Pressure-sensitive, shrink sleeves for bottles/jars.
- UV Flexo inks (instant cure)
- High scratch resistance
- Low odor, food contact safe
Paperboard & Cartons
Cereal boxes, frozen food packs, fast-food wraps.
- Water-based flexo inks
- Bright colors, low VOC
- Mineral oil barrier options
โ Regulatory compliance & test reports
StarColor food packaging inks are manufactured under strict quality control and independently tested to meet global food safety standards. We provide full documentation upon request.
Low migration declaration: All applicable products are formulated with restricted substance compliance (no benzophenone, no ITX, low primary aromatic amines).
๐ Representative test reports available:
- Overall migration test (GB 4806.14-2023) - SC1000 series
- Food contact (FDA 21 CFR 175.300) - UV flexo inks
- VOC content report - water-based range
*Full test reports can be shared under NDA or directly to qualified customers.
๐ Success story: fries box leader
A well-known fast-food chain faced consumer complaints about ink migration and off-odors on their french fries cartons. StarColor switched them to food-grade water-based flexo inks (low migration series).
Result: 100% compliant with GB 4806.14-2023 + zero odor migration + vibrant print quality that enhances brand appeal.
๐ Food packaging printing best practices
Explore our technical resources to optimize ink performance, reduce waste, and ensure compliance on your production line.
Frequently asked questions
โ Are water-based inks safe for direct food contact?
Yes, our water-based food contact series complies with FDA 21 CFR 176.170 and EU 10/2011 for indirect & limited direct contact (depending on substrate). Always check the specific product TDS.
โ What does โlow migrationโ mean?
Low migration inks are formulated to minimize transfer of ink components through packaging into food. They use high-purity raw materials and are tested for overall & specific migration limits.
โ Can you provide migration test reports?
Absolutely. We provide test reports from independent labs for each relevant product family (e.g., WB-100, UV-800 series). Contact our technical support team.
โ Do your UV inks cause off-odor on food packaging?
Our UV flexo series uses low-migration photoinitiators, and post-cure process ensures negligible residual odor. Validated by sensory analysis for dry food applications.
Switch to sustainable, high-durability food packaging inks
Request a free sample kit, compliance documentation, or a technical consultation for your food packaging line.