FDA Approved Plastics for Food Contact: Complete Materials Guide (2026)

Quick answer: The FDA doesn't approve products, but it clears specific plastics for food contact: HDPE and PP under 21 CFR 177.1520, PET under 21 CFR 177.1630, and LDPE under 177.1520. HDPE is the industrial standard because of its broad approval, chemical inertness, and seamless rotomolded construction.

Part of our FDA & Food Safety Guide to Industrial Containers

Which Plastics Are FDA Approved for Food Contact?

The question "are plastics FDA approved?" is actually misleading. The FDA doesn't approve products — it regulates materials. Specific plastic formulations are cleared for food contact under various sections of 21 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations).

Understanding which plastics meet these regulations — and which don't — is critical for any business that handles food, beverages, or pharmaceutical products.

The FDA-Approved Plastics List

Tier 1: Fully Approved for Direct Food Contact

Tier 2: Conditionally Approved

Tier 3: Not Approved for Food Contact

21 CFR 177.1520 Explained

This is the most important regulation for industrial food containers. It covers "olefin polymers" — the family that includes HDPE, PP, and LDPE.

What 177.1520 Requires

Conditions of Use Under 177.1520

The regulation defines specific conditions under which each plastic is approved:

For industrial containers, conditions C through G cover virtually all applications. HDPE is approved for all of these.

Why HDPE Dominates Industrial Food Containers

Material Properties vs. FDA Requirements

Virgin vs. Recycled HDPE

For food contact: Only virgin HDPE (made from new resin) is automatically compliant. Recycled HDPE requires a specific FDA Letter of No Objection for the recycling process — which most industrial container recyclers don't have.

Bonar Plastics uses 100% virgin HDPE for all food-grade containers, ensuring automatic 21 CFR 177.1520 compliance.

How to Verify FDA Compliance

Step 1: Request Material Certificates

Every FDA-compliant container should come with documentation stating:

Step 2: Verify Additive Compliance

All additives (colorants, UV stabilizers, etc.) must appear on the FDA's approved additive list. Ask your supplier for additive compliance documentation.

Step 3: Check Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing process matters. Rotational molding produces seamless, stress-free containers that maintain material integrity. Injection molding introduces weld lines and stress points that can affect food safety.

Step 4: Confirm Conditions of Use Match

Verify that the container's FDA rating matches your actual use conditions. A container rated for room-temperature dry storage is not automatically approved for hot-fill applications.

Common Compliance Mistakes

FDA Compliant Container Products

As an authorized Bonar Plastics distributor, LT Plastics supplies FDA-compliant industrial containers for every food application:

Read the full FDA & Food Safety Guide →

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FAQ

Which plastic resin codes are FDA cleared for food contact?

HDPE (#2), PP (#5), PET (#1), and LDPE (#4) are the primary resin codes cleared for food contact, each under specific 21 CFR sections such as 177.1520 for olefin polymers and 177.1630 for PET.

Is PVC approved for food-contact containers?

No. PVC (#3) is generally not approved for most food-contact uses because of phthalate plasticizers and chlorine content; HDPE and PP are the standard alternatives for industrial containers.

Does colored or recycled plastic stay FDA compliant?

Only if every additive, including colorants, is on the FDA-approved list, and recycled content has an FDA Letter of No Objection for that specific recycling process. Virgin resin is the default compliant choice.

How can I confirm a plastic container's FDA compliance before buying?

Request a material certificate citing the applicable 21 CFR section, confirm virgin resin and FDA-listed additives, and verify that the container's rated conditions of use match your actual application.

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