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PETG FDA Food-Grade Compliance — 21 CFR 177.1630

PETG (glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate) complies with FDA 21 CFR 177.1630, which covers polyethylene terephthalate resins for food-contact use. This compliance makes PETG suitable for food packaging, food-contact covers, thermoformed food trays, display covers over food products, and similar applications where the plastic surface contacts food directly or indirectly.

At a glance:

  • FDA regulation: 21 CFR 177.1630 — same regulation as PET bottle resin and PET-P bearing grade
  • Suitable for direct food contact in packaging, trays, containers, and equipment covers
  • EU food contact: compliant under EU Regulation 10/2011 for standard grades (verify lot)
  • PETG is NOT autoclavable — do not use for steam-sterilized food contact applications
  • Recyclable as PET copolymer (#1 or #7 — confirm local classification)
  • Request COC from supplier for regulated food-contact procurement

21 CFR 177.1630 — What It Covers

Title 21, CFR 177.1630 permits the use of polyethylene terephthalate resins (homopolymer and copolymer) as food-contact articles. PETG qualifies as a copolymer of PET. The regulation limits extractable adjuvants (antioxidants, mold-release agents, UV absorbers) to specified levels that present no safety concern in food contact.

Standard clear PETG from Eastman Chemical and equivalent producers meets this requirement as produced. Colored and specialty grades (UV-stabilized, tinted, anti-static) must be individually confirmed — the colorants and additives must themselves be FDA-approved at the use levels present.

PETG and bearing-grade PET (Ertalyte) are both regulated under 21 CFR 177.1630 because both are PET-family polymers. This does not mean they are the same material or interchangeable. Confirm the specific grade (PETG amorphous vs PET-P semi-crystalline) meets the mechanical and performance requirements of your application before citing the shared FDA regulation.

Food-Contact Applications for PETG

Food Packaging (Clamshells, Trays, Blister Packs)

Thermoformed PETG packaging is a primary use for food contact compliance:

  • Deli and bakery clamshell containers
  • Produce and prepared food trays
  • Pharmaceutical and food supplement blister packs
  • Rigid lidding for food service containers

PETG packaging is frequently recycled under the #1 (PET) resin code, though technically PETG is a copolymer; confirm local recycler acceptance.

Food-Zone Equipment Covers and Guards

Clear PETG panels used as covers over food preparation surfaces or food display cases require food-contact compliance when the panel surface may contact the food product or be exposed to food splatter:

  • Bakery display case panels
  • Salad bar sneeze guards and covers
  • Delicatessen counter shields
  • Meat cutting area guards and light shields

PETG's chemical resistance to dilute food acids (citric, acetic, phosphoric) and standard sanitizers makes it durable in these environments.

Food Display and POP Overlays

PETG is used in overlays and graphic panels in food retail environments. Where the panel surface contacts food (contact with unwrapped food products, exposure to food vapors), FDA compliance is relevant.

Temperature Limits in Food-Contact Service

PETG's continuous-use temperature of ~140°F (60°C) limits its application to cold and ambient food-contact service. It is not suitable for:

  • Hot-fill packaging (food filled above 140°F)
  • Oven or steam table use
  • Dishwasher-safe applications (dishwasher temperatures typically 130–160°F — at the edge of or beyond PETG's limit)
  • Steam sterilization / autoclave (PETG distorts at autoclave temperatures)

For food-contact applications requiring higher temperature resistance, consider:

  • Polypropylene (PP) for flexible hot-fill packaging
  • Polysulfone (PSU/Udel) for autoclavable food equipment covers
  • PET-P (Ertalyte) for food-zone machined bearing components at temperatures up to 212°F

Chemical Resistance to Cleaning and Sanitizing Agents

EU Food Contact Compliance

PETG (Eastman copolyester) is compliant with EU Regulation No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to contact food. EU compliance specifies overall migration limits (OML: 10 mg/dm² or 60 mg/kg food simulant) and specific migration limits (SML) for individual substances. Standard PETG without specialty additives typically meets these requirements.

For EU market applications:

  • Request supplier confirmation of EU 10/2011 compliance
  • Confirm that any colorants or UV stabilizers in non-clear grades are on the EU positive list
  • Document the migration test data in the food contact material declaration

Regulatory Summary

Order FDA-compliant PETG sheet with COC documentation

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