Safety assessment of the substance phosphoric acid, mixed esters with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate, for use in food contact materials

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the substance phosphoric acid, mixed esters with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate, FCM substance No 1082, which is intended to be used at up to ■■■■■% w/w ■■■■■ for the production of kitchen countertops and sinks. These composite articles are intended for repeated contact with all food types. The contact time is not expected to exceed several hours at room temperature or a short time at high temperature (1 h at 70°C). The substance is thermally stable under the manufacturing conditions. Under conservative conditions of testing, the specific migration into 10% ethanol, 95% ethanol and 3% acetic acid was up to 24.8 μg/6 dm(2). Screening tests for migrating oligomers and reaction products resulting from the use of the substance ■■■■■. Based on the negative results observed in the Ames and in vitro micronucleus tests, the Panel concluded that the substance does not raise concern for genotoxicity. The CEP Panel concluded that the substance phosphoric acid, mixed esters with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate, is not of safety concern for the consumer if used as a co‐monomer at up to ■■■■■% to manufacture ■■■■■ food preparation surfaces, such as countertops or sinks, intended for repeated contact with all food types. Additionally, the migration of phosphoric acid, mixed esters with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate should not exceed 0.05 mg/kg food expressed as the sum of the mono‐, di‐ and triesters of phosphoric acid and the mono‐, di‐, tri‐ and tetraesters of diphosphoric acid.