The small symbols on your Vikan label represent years of work in food safety, hygienic design, and sustainability. But—what does each one mean for your business and your own food safety and environmental efforts? Keep reading to learn what goes into each one and what they represent.
Food Safety and Compliance
Glass & Fork Symbol
This is the international symbol for something that is made of food-safe materials. It can be used to store, prepare, or serve food. The container’s material is not, and will not over time become, a source of toxic contamination. This assertion is backed up by migration testing by independent laboratories in the EU. You can see the results of those tests in each tool’s document of compliance on their product pages.
However—the glass and fork symbol doesn’t mean that every tool or utensil can be used in all circumstances. Many plastics, for example, are perfectly safe for storing food, but will melt when introduced to heat. If you have a question about the melting point of any Vikan tool, you can find it on the product page.
FDA Logo
The FDA logo on a Vikan label indicates that the tool’s raw material conforms to requirements set by FDA Regulation 21 CFR parts 170-199. These regulations deal with additives (direct and indirect), banned substances, and novel ingredients. The presence of the FDA logo on a Vikan product indicates:
- The product uses only approved food additives or GRAS (generally recognised as safe) substances under their specified safe conditions.
- The tool does not use substances or additives that are considered unsafe.
- We have followed strict manufacturing and labelling practices.
- We have ensured food safety through scientific testing and risk assessments.
Sustainability
FSC
The Forest Stewardship Council symbol recognises that wood or fiber comes from responsibly managed forests. Vikan is proud to display this symbol on its cardboard packaging. Many of the wood products in our Classic range also come from FSC-approved sources.
The FSC requires:
- Responsible harvesting and no clear-cutting forests
- Fair wages and acceptable working conditions
Products can also be made of recycled materials to qualify for the symbol.
Workers must receive adequate safety training and appropriate safety gear, and they must be paid a fair wage for their work. The forests are protected by rejecting clear-cutting techniques that can permanently damage land.
Nordic Swan Ecolabel
This is one of the world’s toughest environmental certifications. It’s a holistic approach to sustainability and follows the entire lifecycle of a product, from raw materials to its eventual disposal or recycling.
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel also focuses on:
- Resource efficiency
- Reduced climate impact
- Conservation of biodiversity
- Product quality and durability
The Vikan Microfibre range has been awarded the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, even after it increased its already strident standards this year. We’re exceptionally proud that the range carries the Swan label.
Recycling Symbols
These symbols are internationally recognised and guide consumers in their recycling efforts. Vikan is currently running a trial of a Take-Back Programme where we recycle your end-of-life tools. If you’d like to participate, please contact customer service or your Vikan representative.
Here are the most common symbols you’ll find on Vikan tools and packaging:
