[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 21, Volume 3]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 21CFR184.1021]

[Page 475]
 
                        TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
 
CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 
                          SERVICES (CONTINUED)
 
PART 184_DIRECT FOOD SUBSTANCES AFFIRMED AS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS 
SAFE--Table of Contents
 
        Subpart B_Listing of Specific Substances Affirmed as GRAS
 
Sec. 184.1021  Benzoic acid.

    (a) Benzoic acid is the chemical benzenecarboxylic acid 
(C7H6O2), occurring in nature in free 
and combined forms. Among the foods in which benzoic acid occurs 
naturally are cranberries, prunes, plums, cinnamon, ripe cloves, and 
most berries. Benzoic acid is manufactured by treating molten phthalic 
anhydride with steam in the presence of a zinc oxide catalyst, by the 
hydrolysis of benzotrichloride, or by the oxidation of toluene with 
nitric acid or sodium bichromate or with air in the presence of a 
transition metal salt catalyst.
    (b) The ingredient meets the specifications of the ``Food Chemicals 
Codex,'' 3d Ed. (1981), p. 35, 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.
    (c) The ingredient is used as an antimicrobial agent as defined in 
Sec. 170.3(o)(2) of this chapter, and as a flavoring agent and adjuvant 
as defined in Sec. 170.3(o)(12) of this chapter.
    (d) The ingredient is used in food at levels not to exceed good 
manufacturing practice. Current usage results in a maximum level of 0.1 
percent in food. (The Food and Drug Administration has not determined 
whether significantly different conditions of use would be GRAS).
    (e) Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from those uses 
established in this section, or different from that set forth in part 
181 of this chapter, do not exist or have been waived.

[42 FR 14653, Mar. 15, 1977, as amended at 49 FR 5610, Feb. 14, 1984]