Introduction to the Global Food Packaging Industry and Its Food Contact Materials Regulations 

Food packaging plays a critical role in protecting products, preserving quality, and delivering information to consumers. This introductory course provides a practical overview of the global food packaging industry and the regulatory framework that governs food contact materials. Participants will learn the differences between Food Contact Substances (FCS), Food Contact Materials (FCM), and Food Contact Articles (FCA), and examine how these components move through the packaging supply chain. The course also explains the distinction between direct and indirect food additives, introduces emerging packaging technologies, and reviews the shared compliance responsibilities across manufacturers, suppliers, converters, and food companies. In addition, participants will gain a high-level understanding of how countries and regions regulate food contact materials through notifications, authorizations, positive lists, and other approval systems. This course serves as a foundation for more advanced study of global food contact regulations.