Food Safe Adhesives Explained!

When it comes to packing food and beverages, consumer safety is essential. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated the use of glue for packaging food. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure that FDA regulations are abided by and up to date. Since rules must be followed, many questions from customers are regarding food grade adhesives.

Which Food Packaging Adhesives Are FDA Approved?

The FDA has an extensive list of approved glue for food packaging. Approved food packaging adhesives include hot melt, hide glue, epoxies, liquid-based glue, and silicone adhesives. Other additional food specifications are based on coloring and other additives. To ensure an adhesive abides by FDA guidelines, contact the manufacturer.

Rules For Using Adhesives in Food

Food safe adhesives are defined as food-contact substances. Glue for food packaging needs to pass safety requirements since packaging can come into contact with foods. FDA 175.105 and 175.300 lay out the guidelines manufacturers should follow. Manufacturers also need to follow regulations on the proper way for adhesives to be applied onto packaging and approved physical contact.

Once the food is packed it manufacturers must ensure the adhesives and food are separated. It is also vital for manufacturers to abide by food type limitations. For example, the amount of adhesives contacting the food should not pass the limit for Good Manufacturing Practices when handling dry food. Additionally, fatty foods in connection with adhesives cannot pass the seams and edges of the packaging laminate.

Direct Vs. Indirect Food

Direct additives and indirect additives are often confused. Common misunderstandings arise when the FDA describes a food additive as a substance that leads to expected results of food and affects its characteristics. Food additives can also be noted as coatings and ink printings since they have direct or interactive contact with food. While these foods are not a part of food ingredients, they do come into contact with packaging unintentionally.

Functional Barrier

Manufacturers tend to create barriers that prevent substances from indirectly turning into food components. When packaging cereal, high-density polyethylene bags are used to protect food from interaction with adhesives and ink.

Is Hot Melt Glue Safe?

Many hot melt glues are FDA compliant. Metallocene hot melt is a popular glue to use the proper bonds for the packaging industry.

Water-Based Liquid Glue

Along with hot melt glues, water-based blues are approved for indirect contact with food. Not only are they used for sealing, packaging, labeling, and more, water-based liquid glue is also eco-friendly.

For more than 50 years, Technical Adhesive has provided quality service to customers. From an acrylic-based adhesive to rubber-based adhesives, Technical Adhesives has exactly what you need. For more information about custom adhesives, contact Technical Adhesives today.

Peter John is a content writer in Canada.