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United States • Title 21 CFR • Part 186

Part 186PART 186—INDIRECT FOOD SUBSTANCES AFFIRMED AS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE

Part 186 of Title 21 CFR outlines indirect food substances affirmed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. These substances are not for direct addition to food but are permitted for use in food-contact surfaces, migrating into food under specified conditions. The regulations detail purity specifications, conditions of use (including current good manufacturing practices), and limitations for each affirmed substance. Uses outside these parameters require a food additive regulation. The part also addresses prior sanctions and potential deception.

What this part covers

  • Indirect food ingredients listed in Part 186 are affirmed as GRAS for use in food-contact surfaces, not for direct addition to food.
  • Compliance with purity specifications and current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) is mandatory.
  • Substances are permitted only through migration from wrappers, containers, or other food-contact articles.
  • Specific limitations on use (e.g., category of food-contact surface, functional use, level of use) must be adhered to if provided in the regulation.
  • Uses deviating from established GRAS affirmations or limitations require a separate food additive regulation.
  • The use of these substances must not lead to consumer deception or violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
  • Specific sections detail individual substances like Sulfamic acid, Clay (kaolin), Dextrans, Ferric oxide, Formic acid, Iron oxides, Hydrogenated fish oil, Japan wax, Tall oil, Pulp, Sodium chlorite, Sodium formate, Sodium oleate, and Sodium palmitate, outlining their GRAS affirmation and conditions of use.

Sections in Part 186

§ 186.1

Substances added indirectly to human food affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS).

(a) The indirect human food ingredients listed in this part have been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration and affirmed to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for the purposes and under the conditions prescribed, providing they comply with the purity specifications listed in this part or, in the absence of purity specifications, are of a purity suitable for their intended use in accordance with § 170.30(h)(1) of this chapter. Certain ingredients in this part may also be used in food-contact surfaces in accordance with parts 174, 175, 176, 177, 178 or § 179.45 of this chapter. Ingredients affirmed as GRAS for direct use in part 184 of this chapter are also GRAS as indirect human food ingredients in accordance with § 184.1(a) of this chapter. (b) The regulations in this part do not authorize direct addition of any food ingredient to a food. They authorize only the use of these ingredients as indirect ingredients of food, through migration from their immediate wrapper, container, or other food-contact surface. Any ingredient affirmed as GRAS in this part shall be used in accordance with current good manufacturing practice. For the purpose of this part, current good…

§ 186.1093

Sulfamic acid.

352352(a) Sulfamic acid (HNOS, CAS Reg. No. 5329-14-6) is a white crystalline solid manufactured from urea, sulfur trioxide, and sulfuric acid. It is soluble and highly ionized in water. (b) In accordance with § 186.1(b)(1), the ingredient is used as an indirect food ingredient with no limitations other than current good manufacturing practice. The affirmation of this ingredient as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as an indirect human food ingredient is based upon the current good manufacturing practice of using this ingredient in the manufacture of paper and paperboard that contact food. (c) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived. [47 FR 29954, July 9, 1982]

§ 186.1256

Clay (kaolin).

2523.2SiO2.nH252(a) Clay (kaolin) AlOO, Cas Reg. No. 1332-58-7) consists of hydrated aluminum silicate. The commercial products of clay (kaolin) contain varying quantities of alkalies and alkaline earths. Clay (kaolin) is a white to yellowish or grayish fine powder. There are at least three different minerals, kaolinite, dickite, and nacrite, classified as kaolin. Kaolinite or china clay is whiter, less contaminated with extraneous minerals, and less plastic in water. (b) In accordance with § 186.1(b)(1), the ingredient is used as an indirect human food ingredient with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. The affirmation of this ingredient as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as an indirect human food ingredient is based upon the following current good manufacturing practice conditions of use: (1) The ingredient is used in the manufacture of paper and paperboard that contact food. (2) The ingredient is used at levels not to exceed current good manufacturing practice. (c) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this regulation do not exist or have been waived. [47 FR 43367, Oct. 1, 1982]

§ 186.1275

Dextrans.

Leuconostoc mesenteroides(a) Dextrans (CAS Reg. No. 9004-54-0) are high molecular weight polysaccharides produced by bacterial fermentation of sucrose. Commercially available dextrans are synthesized from sucrose by strain NRRL B-512(F). Partial depolymerization and purification of the fermented mixture shall produce a product that is free of viable microorganisms. (b) The ingredient is used or intended for use as a constituent of food-contact surfaces. (c) The ingredient is used at levels not to exceed good manufacturing practice. (d) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived. [43 FR 29288, July 7, 1978, as amended at 48 FR 48457, Oct. 19, 1983]

§ 186.1300

Ferric oxide.

252352(a) Ferric oxide (iron (III) oxide, FeO, CAS Reg. No. 1309-37-1) occurs naturally as the mineral hematite. It may be prepared synthetically by heating brown iron hydroxide oxide. The product is red-brown to black trigonal crystals. (b) In accordance with § 186.1(b)(1), the ingredient is used as an indirect human food ingredient with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. The affirmation of this ingredient as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as an indirect human food ingredient is based upon the following current good manufacturing practice conditions of use: (1) The ingredient is used as a constituent of paper and paperboard used for food packaging. (2) The ingredient is used at levels not to exceed current good manufacturing practice. (c) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived. [53 FR 16867, May 12, 1988; 53 FR 20939, June 7, 1988]

§ 186.1316

Formic acid.

252252(a) Formic acid (CHO, CAS Reg. No. 64-18-6) is also referred to as methanoic acid or hydrogen carboxylic acid. It occurs naturally in some insects and is contained in the free acid state in a number of plants. Formic acid is prepared by the reaction of sodium formate with sulfuric acid and is isolated by distillation. (b) Formic acid is used as a constituent of paper and paperboard used for food packaging. (c) The ingredient is used at levels not to exceed good manufacturing practice in accordance with § 186.1(b)(1). (d) Prior sanctions for formic acid different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived. [45 FR 22915, Apr. 4, 1980]

§ 186.1374

Iron oxides.

(a) Iron oxides (oxides of iron, CAS Reg. No. 1332-37-2) are undefined mixtures of iron (II) oxide (CAS Reg. No. 1345-25-1, black cubic crystals) and iron (III) oxide (CAS Reg. No. 1309-37-1, red-brown to black trigonal crystals). (b) In accordance with § 186.1(b)(1), the ingredient is used as an indirect human food ingredient with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. The affirmation of this ingredient as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as an indirect human food ingredient is based upon the following current good manufacturing practice conditions of use: (1) The ingredient is used as a constituent of paper and paperboard used for food packaging. (2) The ingredient is used at levels not to exceed current good manufacturing practice. (c) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived. [53 FR 16867, May 12, 1988; 53 FR 20939, June 7, 1988, as amended at 69 FR 24512, May 4, 2004]

§ 186.1551

Hydrogenated fish oil.

(a) Hydrogenated fish oil (CAS Reg. No. 91078-95-4) is a class of oils produced by partial hydrogenation of oils expressed from fish, primarily menhaden, and secondarily herring or tuna. Hydrogenation of fish oils uses catalysts composed of either elemental nickel, elemental copper, or a mixture of these elements. The crude hydrogenated fish oil is further processed by alkali refining, bleaching, and deodorization by steam stripping. 165218522052225214522452(b) Hydrogenation of fish oils results in a final product with a melting point greater than 32 °C as determined by Section Cc 1-25, Official and Tentative Methods of the American Oil Chemists' Society method (reapproved 1973) or equivalent. The product has an approximate fatty acid composition of 30 to 45 percent saturated fatty acids, 40 to 55 percent monoenoic fatty acids, 7 to 15 percent dienoic fatty acids, 3 to 10 percent trienoic fatty acids, and less than 2 percent tetraenoic or higher polyenoic fatty acids. The approximate percentages of total fatty acids by carbon chain length are 15 to 30 percent each of C, C, C, C, less than 10 percent C or lower carbon chain length, and less than 1 percent C or higher carbon chain…

§ 186.1555

Japan wax.

19522352Rhus succedaneaR. verniciferaR. trichocarpa(a) Japan wax (CAS Reg. No. 8001-39-6), also known as Japan tallow or sumac wax, is a pale yellow vegetable tallow, containing glycerides of the C-C dibasic acids and a high content of tripalmitin. It is prepared from the mesocarp by hot pressing of immature fruits of the oriental sumac, (Japan, Taiwan, and Indo-China), (Japan), and (China, Indo-China, India, and Japan). Japan wax is soluble in hot alcohol, benzene, and naphtha, and insoluble in water and in cold alcohol. (b) In accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the ingredient is used as an indirect human food ingredient with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. The affirmation of this ingredient as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as an indirect human food ingredient is based on the following current good manufacturing practice conditions of use: (1) The ingredient is used as a constituent of cotton and cotton fabrics used for dry food packaging. (2) The ingredient is used at levels not to exceed current good manufacturing practice. (c) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this section do not…

§ 186.1557

Tall oil.

(a) Tall oil (CAS Reg. No. 8002-26-4) is essentially the sap of the pine tree. It is obtained commercially from the waste liquors of pinewood pulp mills and consists mainly of tall oil resin acids and tall oil fatty acids. (b) In accordance with § 186.1(b)(1), the ingredient is used as an indirect human food ingredient with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. The affirmation of this ingredient as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as an indirect human food ingredient is based on the following current good manufacturing practice conditions of use: (1) The ingredient is used as a constituent of cotton and cotton fabrics used for dry food packaging. (2) The ingredient is used at levels not to exceed current good manufacturing practice. (c) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this section, or from those listed in part 181 of this chapter, do not exist or have been waived. [51 FR 16830, May 7, 1986]

§ 186.1673

Pulp.

(a) Pulp is the soft, spongy pith inside the stem of a plant such as wood, straw, sugarcane, or other natural plant sources. (b) The ingredient is used or intended for use as a constituent of food packaging containers. (c) The ingredient is used in paper and paperboard made by conventional paper-making processes at levels not to exceed good manufacturing practice. (d) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived.

§ 186.1750

Sodium chlorite.

252(a) Sodium chlorite (NaCLO, CAS Reg. No. 7758-19-2) exists as slightly hygroscopic white crystals or flakes. It is manufactured by passing chlorine dioxide into a solution of sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide. (b) the ingredient is used at levels from 125 to 250 parts per million as a slimicide in the manufacture of paper and paperboard that contact food. [45 FR 16470, Mar. 14, 1980]

§ 186.1756

Sodium formate.

252(a) Sodium formate (CHNaO, CAS Reg. No. 141-53-7) is the sodium salt of formic acid. It is produced by the reaction of carbon monoxide with sodium hydroxide. (b) The ingredient is used as a constituent of paper and paperboard used for food packaging. (c) The ingredient is used at levels not to exceed good manufacturing practice in accordance with § 186.1(b)(1). (d) Prior sanctions for sodium formate different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived. [45 FR 22915, Apr. 4, 1980]

§ 186.1770

Sodium oleate.

18523352252cis(a) Sodium oleate (CHONa, CAS Reg. No. 143-19-1) is the sodium salt of oleic acid (-9-octadecenoic acid). It exists as a white to yellowish powder with a slight tallow-like odor. Commercially, sodium oleate is made by mixing and heating flaked sodium hydroxide and oleic acid. (b) In accordance with § 186.1(b)(1), the ingredient is used as a constituent of paper and paperboard for food packaging and as a component of lubricants with incidental food contact in accordance with § 178.3570 of this chapter, with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. (c) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived. [51 FR 39372, Oct. 28, 1986]

§ 186.1771

Sodium palmitate.

16523152252(a) Sodium palmitate (CHONa, CAS Reg. No. 408-35-5) is the sodium salt of palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid). It exists as a white to yellow powder. Commercially, sodium palmitate is made by mixing and heating flaked sodium hydroxide and palmitic acid. (b) In accordance with § 186.1(b)(1), the ingredient is used as a constituent of paper and paperboard for food packaging with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. (c) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived. [51 FR 39372, Oct. 28, 1986]

§ 186.1797

Sodium sulfate.

252452(a) Sodium sulfate (NaSO, CAS Reg. No. 7757-82-6), also known as Glauber's salt, occurs naturally and exists as colorless crystals or as a fine, white crystalline powder. It is prepared by the neutralization of sulfuric acid with sodium hydroxide. (b) The ingredient is used as a constituent of paper and paperboard used for food packaging, and cotton and cotton fabric used for dry food packaging. (c) The ingredient is used at levels not to exceed good manufacturing practice in accordance with § 186.1(b)(1). (d) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived. [45 FR 6086, Jan. 25, 1980]

§ 186.1839

Sorbose.

6521252652Sorbus aucupariaAcetobacter xylinumAcetobacter suboxydans.(a) Sorbose (L-sorbose, sorbinose) (CHO, CAS Reg. No. 87-79-6) is an orthorhombic, bisphenoidal crystalline ketohexose. It was originally identifed in the juice of mature berries from the mountain ash () where it occurs as the result of microbial oxidation of sorbitol. It also occurs naturally in other plants. Sorbose can be synthesized by the catalytic hydrogenation of glucose to D-sorbitol. The resulting sorbitol can be oxidized by or by (b) The ingredient is used or intended for indirect food use as a constituent of cotton, cotton fabrics, paper, and paperboard in contact with dry food. (c) The ingredient migrates to food at levels not to exceed good manufacturing practice. (d) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived. [43 FR 11698, Mar. 21, 1978, as amended at 48 FR 48457, Oct. 19, 1983]

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