Regulatory Status

Adhesives, which may be safely used as components of articles intended for use in packaging, transporting or holding food in accordance with, prescribed conditions.

The homopolymer grades (including micronized types) and oxidized polyethylene M 3400 conforms to the requirements for use as a component of an adhesive for food packaging.

Pressure – sensitive adhesives, which may be safely used as the food, contact surface of labels and / or tapes applied to food in accordance with prescribed conditions.

The homopolymer grades (including micronized types) and oxidized polyethylene M 3400 conform to the specifications required of their product classes and therefore comply with the requirements for use as a component of a pressure – sensitive adhesive for food packaging.

  As identified and meeting the parameters laid down in    21CFR 172.888.

Ultra violet Absorbance:
Molecular weight (Vapour pressure osmometry):
Typical: 1500 – 1700

As identified under 21 CFR 177.1620 ( a ) and meeting all limits.

Molecular weight (VPO): > 1200
Oxygen content: < 5% Acid number (mgms KOH / gm): >9 < 19
Extraction data (as defined under 21 CFR 177.1520 ( c ) item 2.3

Maximum n – hexane soluble fraction at 50°C 53%
Maximum xylene soluble fraction at 25°C 75%

The coating is applied as a continuous film or enamel over a metal substrate, or the coating is intended for repeated food contact use and is applied to any suitable substrate as a continuous film or enamel that serves as a functional barrier between the food and the substrate.
The homopolymer grades (including the micronized types) are permitted as components of the subject coatings in amounts of up to 50% by weight
The coatings are subject to extraction limits with a number of solvents, which simulate varying types of foods and beverages. The tests prescribed in this regulation have been carried out on pure (100%) MARCUS polyethylene coatings and the results confirm that any coating containing them as a component would fall well within the limitations set.

Extractants Extractive Test Limit
Water ( 2120 F—30 mins ) 0.1 0.5 Max
Heptane ( 1500 F—2 hrs ) 0.4 0.5 max.
8% Alcohol ( 1500 F—2 hrs ) 0.1 0.5 max.

The coating is applied as a continuous film over one or both sides of a base film produced from one or more of the basic olefin polymers complying with 21 CFR 177.1520. These coatings may safely be used as the food contact surface of articles intended for use in producing, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating packaging, transporting or holding food.

The homopolymer grades (including the micronized types) and the oxidized polyethylene M 3400 are permitted for use as components of the subject coatings in amounts of up to 50% by weight.

The homopolymer grades (including the micronized types) and the oxidized polyethylene M 3400 are permitted as components. In the instance of the homopolymers, they comply with the parameters identified in 21 CFR 178.3720 and meet the specifications prescribed in 21CFR 172.888. The homopolymers may be used in amounts of to 50% by weight. The oxidized polyethylene M 3400 complies with the identity specified in 21 CFR 177. 1620 (c ). This oxidized product is not subject to any limit regarding the amount used.

The homopolymer grades (including the micronized types) and the oxidized polyethylene M 3400 are permitted for use in amounts intended to accomplish the intended technical effect as components of the uncoated or coated food contact surface of paper and paperboard intended for use in producing, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, packaging, transporting or holding dry food of the types identified under 21 CFR 176.170 ( c )

The homopolymer grades (including the micronized types) and the oxidized polyethylene M 3400 are permitted as components of Defoaming aids coming into contact with foodstuffs. The amount permitted is a reasonable level to induce the desired effect as a defoamer.

The homopolymer grades (including the micronized grades) and the oxidized polyethylene M 3400 are permitted as components of Defoaming aids for the subject application. The amount permitted is such as not to exceed the level required to obtain the intended technical effect.

Cellophane may be safely used for food packaging. Frequently cellophane, which is made from regenerated cellulose, is modified with additives, which are approved for food contact use.

The homopolymers (including the micronized grades) and the oxidized polyethylene M 3400 are permitted as components of cellophane which is used for food packaging purposes. The homopolymers may be used in an amount of up to 50% by weight. The M 3400 is permitted as it conforms to the specification set in 21 CFR 177.1620.

Closure sealing gaskets and overall discs may be safely used on containers intended for use in producing, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, and packaging transporting or holding food.

The homopolymers (including the micronized types) are permitted in amounts of up to 50%. The oxidized polyethylene M 3400 is also permitted. There are extraction limitations applicable for different types of food.

This regulation is the covering one for polyolefins and compliance to which is required for other food contact regulations.

The homopolymers (including the micronized types) are permitted as components for food contact purposes and in an amount of up to 50% by weight. The homopolymers do conform to the requirements set in the section of this regulation ( (c ) item 2.3 ). This has previously been outlined under 21 CFR 175.125.

This regulation is the covering one for oxidised polyethylenes and compliance to which is required for food contact regulations.

The oxidized polyethylene M 3400 is permitted as it conforms to the identity specified (and as previously outlined under 21 CFR 175.105). The M3400 use is subject in some regulations to extraction limitations. These do not apply in the instances of 21 CFR 175.105, 175.125, 176.170 ( a ), 176.210 or 177.1200.

Rubber articles (and prepared from natural and/or synthetic polymers) intended to come into contact by various means as previously stated under other regulations.

The homopolymers (including the micronized types) and the oxidized polyethylene M 3400 are permitted in an amount not to exceed that required to produce the intended technical effect and this is a maximum of not more than 2% upon the weight of the rubber product.

Textile fibers may be safely used for food contact purposes by various means as previously stated under other regulations. However, fibers are frequently subjected to a variety of treatments prior to use in order to impart desirable property improvements. This regulation governs what may be used and in an amount not to exceed that required to produce the intended effect.

The oxidized polyethylene M 3400 in its capacity as a product produced by an air blowing technique and as conforming to the parameters defined under 21 CFR 177.1620, is a permitted treatment for fibers coming into contact with foodstuffs.

Lubricants with incidental food contact and arising from various means as previously described may be safely used subject to certain restrictions. The incidental food contact arises as the lubricant is used on food processing equipment as a protective antirust film or, as a release agent or machine part lubricant.

The homopolymer grades (including the micronized types) and the oxidized polyethylene M 3400 are permitted providing that the amount does not exceed that required to achieve the intended effect and, that the amount which may be incorporated into the food does not exceed 10 parts per million.

Reinforced wax may safely be used as an article or component of an article intended for use in producing and manufacturing vinyl chloride polymers and the modifying polymers present in the polymer mixture used in the manufacture of the food contact article.

The homopolymer grades (including the micronized types) and the oxidized polyethylene M 3400 are permitted for use provided the amount used is no more than necessary to achieve the intended effect and, that the extraction limitations for the packaging of cheese and cheese products are observed.

A number of packaging materials are identified in this regulation which may be safely subjected to irradiation incidental to the radiation treatment and processing of pre-packaged food. This is also subject to the requirement that no induced radioactivity is detectable in the packaging material itself.

The homopolymer grades (including the micronized types) and the oxidized polyethylene M 3400 are permitted.