BfR issues MFH kitchenware safety warning: Migration risks for melamine and formaldehyde

Bonn, Germany — 17 July 2026

Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has warned about potential health risks associated with kitchenware and utensils manufactured from melamine-formaldehyde resins (MFH). The agency highlighted that melamine and formaldehyde can migrate from these products into food, with migration increasing under higher temperatures and prolonged contact. This advisory is critical for manufacturers and brand owners in the supplement sector utilising plastic packaging or accessories that come into contact with food or beverages.

MFH products, known for their bright colours, light weight, and robustness, are popular for various applications, including children’s dishware and outdoor dining. However, the BfR underscores a clear distinction: while both melamine and formaldehyde have established European migration limits (2.5 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) for melamine and 15 mg/kg for formaldehyde), these limits are frequently challenged when MFH items are used for hot foods or liquids. The agency advises against heating MFH dishware in microwave ovens and recommends against prolonged contact with acidic foods or beverages.

The BfR's guidance focuses on the importance of adhering to manufacturers' instructions for use and cleaning to minimise chemical migration. Misuse, such as serving aggressively hot or acidic foods, significantly elevates the risk profile. This places a direct responsibility on brand owners to ensure their suppliers provide accurate usage guidelines and that product labelling clearly communicates temperature and contact limitations.

The institute's continuous focus on product safety extends beyond MFH, as evidenced by simultaneous communications on safe multi-use coffee cups and chemical contaminants like trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in food. This broader regulatory watch signals a robust environment for food contact material assessments across Germany and, by extension, the EU.

What this means for Germany

German supplement brand owners distributing products with MFH components, such as shakers or containers, must immediately review their supply chain for compliance. Products exceeding EU migration limits for melamine or formaldehyde will face market withdrawal, incurring significant financial penalties and brand damage. Procurement teams should prioritise suppliers providing certified test results for leachables, particularly under simulated worst-case usage conditions (e.g., hot liquids). This regulatory pressure creates a distinct competitive advantage for brands proactively investing in alternative, demonstrably safe food-contact materials, potentially capturing market share from those less prepared for enhanced scrutiny.

The BfR, as Germany's central scientific authority for food safety, frequently advises policymakers. This directive suggests a potential for more stringent enforcement or even revised material approvals for MFH in the future. Brands should factor in a 12-18 month lead time for reformulation or material sourcing should regulations tighten.

• Further research and method evaluation studies on chemical migration from food contact materials, such as chloropropanols from paper, board, and fibre, are ongoing, with results impacting future packaging design.
• The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), with the BfR acting as its national focal point, will continue to harmonise risk assessment parameters across the EU, potentially leading to updated union-wide directives on MFH and similar plastics by late 2027.

This trend is being actively addressed by UK manufacturing partners including Supplement Factory.