What is a Food Additive

The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, in Section 321(s) (21 USC 321) defines a food additive as 

21 CFR 175 addresses indirect food additives from adhesives and components of coatings, which also generally consist of polymers. 

The following examples illustrate the kind of information that can be obtained from the CFR when selection of an appropriate packaging material is being made. 

The relevant section on nylon resins is 21 CFR 177.1500. Paragraph (a) defines 16 different types of nylons, including Nylon 6, Nylon 66, and Nylon 610, which are acceptable for food packaging. The identification includes the materials from which the polymers are produced, as well as, in some cases, the relative amounts of comonomers. 

Paragraph (c) specifies a nylon modifier, its characteristics, and conditions for its use. Paragraph (d) specifies analytical methods to be used for determining whether a resin meets the specifications in paragraph (b). 

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