1.
Introduction to the FDA:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for the regulation of food-contact materials, which must be tested to ensure that they meet food-contact safety standards. Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) specifies these materials and considers them to be "indirect food additives".
2.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists three categories of food additives:
Category
Type
Description
Instructions
1) Direct food additives
Components that are added to food directly
2) Secondary direct food additives
Added to food during food processing. >Components added to food during food processing, e.g., treatment of food with ionic resins, solvent extraction
3)Indirect food additives
Substances that may come into contact with food as a component of packaging or processing equipment, but that are not added directly to the food
*Remarks: Only "Indirect food additives" are relevant to food contact materials. "
3.
FDA
Testing Programs for Food Contact Materials:
Food Contact Materials Required by U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR):
21
CFR
Sections
174-190
. >Section. Important sections include:
21
CFR
Section
175
Indirect food additives: additives and ingredients for coatings
21
CFR
Section
176
.Indirect Food Additives: Paper and Cardboard Ingredients
21
CFR
Section
177
Section
Indirect Food Additives: Polymers (Plastics)
No
Materials
Materials
Standard
1.
Organic Coated,
Metallic and Electroplated Products
FDA
21
CFR Section
175.300.
2.
Paper Products
FDA
21
CFR
Section 176.170
3.
Lumber
FDA
21
CFR
Section 178.3800
4.
ABS
FDA
21
CFR
Section 181.32
or
180.22
5.
Acrylic Resin (Acrylic)
FDA
21
CFR
Section 177.1010
6. Seals for food containers, sealing gaskets
FDA
21
CFR
Section 177.1210
7.
EVA
FDA
21
CFR
Section 177.1350
8.
Cyanamide resin (diamine)
FDA
21
CFR
Section 177.1460
9.
Nylon plastics
FDA
2
1
CFR
Section Section 177.1500
10.
PP
FDA
21
CFR
Section 177.1520,
11.
PE,OP
FDA
21
CFR
Section 177.1520