[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 21, Volume 3] [Revised as of April 1, 2001] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 21CFR178.1005] [Page 341-342] TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) PART 178--INDIRECT FOOD ADDITIVES: ADJUVANTS, PRODUCTION AIDS, AND SANITIZERS--Table of Contents Subpart B--Substances Utilized To Control the Growth of Microorganisms Sec. 178.1005 Hydrogen peroxide solution. Hydrogen peroxide solution identified in this section may be safely used to sterilize polymeric food-contact surfaces identified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section. (a) Identity. For the purpose of this section, hydrogen peroxide solution is an aqueous solution containing not more than 35 percent hydrogen peroxide (CAS Reg. No. 7722-84-1) by weight, meeting the specifications prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section. (b) Optional adjuvant substances. Hydrogen peroxide solution identified in paragraph (a) of this section may contain substances generally recognized as safe in or on food, substances generally recognized for their intended use in food packaging, substances used in accordance with a prior sanction or approval, and substances permitted by applicable regulations in parts 174 through 179 of this chapter. (c) Specifications. Hydrogen peroxide solution shall meet the specifications of the ``Food Chemicals Codex,'' 3d Ed. (1981), pp. 146- 147, which is incorporated by reference (copies may be obtained from the National Academy Press, 2101 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20418, or may be examined at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC 20408), and the United States Pharmacopeia XX (1980), except that hydrogen peroxide may exceed the concentration specified therein. (d) Limitations. No use of hydrogen peroxide solution in the sterilization of food packaging material shall be considered to be in compliance if more than 0.5 part per million of hydrogen peroxide can be determined in distilled water packaged under production conditions (assay to be performed immediately after packaging). (e) Conditions of use. (1) Hydrogen peroxide solution identified in and complying with the specifications in this section may be used by itself or in combination with other processes to treat food-contact surfaces to attain commercial sterility at least equivalent to that attainable by thermal processing for metal containers as provided for in part 113 of this chapter. Food-contact surfaces include the following: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Substances Limitations ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers.......... Complying with Sec. 177.1310 of this chapter. [[Page 342]] Ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymers....... Complying with Sec. 177.1312 of this chapter. Ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer resins. Complying with Sec. 177.1340 of this chapter. Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers......... Complying with Sec. 177.1350 of this chapter. Ionomeric resins.......................... Complying with Sec. 177.1330 of this chapter. Isobutylene polymers...................... Complying with Sec. 177.1420 (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this chapter. Olefin polymers........................... Complying with Sec. 177.1520 of this chapter. Polycarbonate resins...................... Complying with Sec. 177.1580 of this chapter. Polyethylene-terephthalate polymers....... Complying with Sec. 177.1630 of this chapter (excluding polymers described in Sec. 177.1630(c)) of this chapter. Poly-l-butene resins and butene/ethylene Complying with Sec. copolymers. 177.1570 of this chapter. Polystryrene and rubber-modified Complying with Sec. polystyrene polymers. 177.1640 of this chapter. Vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate Complying with Sec. copolymers. 177.1990 of this chapter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (2) The packaging materials identified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section may be used for packaging all commercially sterile foods except that the olefin polymers may be used in articles for packaging foods only of the types identified in Sec. 176.170(c) of this chapter, table 1, under Categories I, II, III, IV-B, V, and VI. (3) Processed foods packaged in the materials identified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section shall conform with parts 108, 110, 113, and 114 of this chapter as applicable. [46 FR 2342, Jan. 9, 1981, as amended at 49 FR 10111, Mar. 19, 1984; 49 FR 32345, Aug. 14, 1984; 49 FR 37747, Sept. 26, 1984; 51 FR 45881, Dec. 23, 1986; 52 FR 26146, July 13, 1987; 53 FR 47186, Nov. 22, 1988; 54 FR 5604, Feb. 6, 1989; 54 FR 13167, Mar. 31, 1989; 54 FR 6365 Feb. 9, 1989; 55 FR 47055, Nov. 9, 1990; 57 FR 32423, July 22, 1992]