If you import kitchen tools or bakeware into the US or the EU, you have almost certainly seen two letters on supplier materials: FDA and LFGB. Both relate to food contact safety, but they are different systems with different expectations. Here is what each one means, what buyers should look for, and why "it has a certificate" is not always enough.
What is FDA food contact compliance?
The US Food and Drug Administration regulates food-contact materials under Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR). Silicone kitchenware, for example, is commonly evaluated under 21 CFR 177.2600 (rubber articles intended for repeated use), which sets limits on extractives and requires compliance testing of the material.
Note that FDA compliance is generally assessed through testing to the relevant 21 CFR section — there is no universal "FDA certificate." A laboratory test report showing compliance with the applicable section (for example, extractives limits) is the meaningful document.
What is LFGB?
LFGB is Germany's Food and Feed Code (Lebensmittel- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch). In practice, LFGB testing (sections 30 and 31) is the benchmark many EU buyers request, because it is demanding: besides migration testing, it includes sensorial testing (odour and taste).
For materials that are not harmonised at EU level — silicones are one of them — the material-specific requirements come from the German BfR Recommendations; for silicone rubber that is Recommendation XV. And since 20 January 2025, the EU-wide bisphenol requirements of Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 apply on top (see our separate guide to that regulation).
FDA vs LFGB at a glance
| FDA (US) | LFGB (Germany / EU) | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | 21 CFR sections — e.g. 21 CFR 177.2600 for rubber articles intended for repeated use | LFGB §§ 30/31; for materials without EU harmonisation, BfR Recommendations (XV for silicone rubber) |
| Migration / extraction testing | Yes — the applicable 21 CFR section sets extraction limits | Yes — overall and specific migration testing |
| Sensory (odour / taste) | Generally not part of the test | Yes — standard part of LFGB testing |
| Bisphenols | Not covered by 21 CFR 177.2600 (buyers may request separately) | Covered — Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 prohibits BPA in the listed materials, incl. silicones |
Which one does your buyer need?
Sell to the US and distributors will typically ask for FDA compliance documentation. Sell to Germany, the EU, or buyers who serve the EU, and LFGB is the common request. Many serious importers ask for both — and they should, because they are different markets with different enforcement.
How to read a test report (the 30-second version)
- What was tested? The report should name the material or article, not just a brand.
- Against what? The standard and the section (e.g., 21 CFR 177.2600, LFGB §§ 30/31, or Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 for bisphenols).
- When and by whom? Accredited labs and reports dated after the relevant regulatory change (e.g., after 20 January 2025 for the EU bisphenol rules) carry the most weight.
The mistake buyers make most often
They file the certificate and never check the subject. A report issued to a material supplier, a different factory, or an older product generation may have nothing to do with the goods you are buying. Ask the supplier to state, in writing, which material in your order is covered by which report — and keep that answer with the order documents.
Sources
- eCFR — 21 CFR 177.2600
- BfR — Recommendations on Food Contact Materials
- EUR-Lex — Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 of 19 December 2024
Informational only — not legal or compliance advice. Requirements change and differ by market; confirm them with your own laboratory or regulatory adviser before committing to a purchase.
Last reviewed: September 2026.