What are the International Regulations to establish suitability of PET Resins for food contact applications?
Although many countries have their own regulations, FDA Regulation in USA and EC Regulation in Europe are widely accepted. The FDA Regulation is covered in ‘Code of Federal Regulations – Food and Drugs 21, Parts 170-179’. The clause 177.1630 specifically deals with PET resins. USFDA 177.1630 stipulates the raw materials/chemicals that can be used in the production of PET resins as well as the overall migration limits in contact with different stimulants. The overall migration test conditions and units as per USFDA 177.1630 are as follows: Overall Migration Tests as per USFDA 177.1630 Solvent Test Conditions OM Limit (Chloroform soluble) Distilled water 250o F, 2 h 7.75 mg/dm2 n-heptane 150o F, 2 h 7.75 mg/dm2 50% ethyl alcohol 120o F, 24 h 7.75 mg/dm2 The European Regulations are covered under Directives issued by Directorate General EU Commission and Food Stuffs – Registration Scientific and Technical aspects. The EC Regulation concerning plastics is covered under regulation no. 90/12
