---
kind: "section"
citation: "21 C.F.R. § 175.125"
title: "21"
number: "175.125"
heading: "Pressure-sensitive adhesives."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/21/175.125"
---

# §175.125. Pressure-sensitive adhesives.


Pressure-sensitive adhesives may be safely used as the food-contact surface of labels and/or tapes applied to food, in accordance with the following prescribed conditions:

- (a) Pressure-sensitive adhesives prepared from one or a mixture of two or more of the substances listed in this paragraph may be used as the food-contact surface of labels and/or tapes applied to poultry, dry food, and processed, frozen, dried, or partially dehydrated fruits or vegetables.
  - (1) **Substances generally recognized as safe in food.**
  - (2) **Substances used in accordance with a prior sanction or approval.**
  - (3) **Color additives listed for use in or on food in parts 73 and 74 of this chapter.**
  - (4) Substances identified in [§ 172.615](/cfr/21/172.615.md) of this chapter other than substances used in accordance with [paragraph (a)(2)](#a-2) of this section.
  - (5) Polyethylene, oxidized; complying with the identity prescribed in [§ 177.1620(a)](/cfr/21/177.1620.md?p=a) of this chapter.
  - (6) 4-[[4, 6-Bis(octylthio)-s-triazin-2-yl]amino]-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (CAS Reg. No. 991-84-4) as an antioxidant/stabilizer at a level not to exceed 1.5 percent by weight of the finished pressure-sensitive adhesive.
  - (7) 2,2′-(2,5-Thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole) (CAS Reg. No. 7128-64-5) as an optical brightener at a level not to exceed 0.05 percent by weight of the finished pressure-sensitive adhesive.
  - (8) 2-Hydroxy-1-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy) phenyl]-2-methyl-1-propanone (CAS Reg. No. 106797-53-9) as a photoinitiator at a level not to exceed 5 percent by weight of the pressure-sensitive adhesive.
  - (9) Butanedioic acid, sulfo-1,4-di-(C9-C11 alkyl) ester, ammonium salt (also known as butanedioic acid sulfo-1, 4-diisodecyl ester, ammonium salt [CAS Reg. No. 144093-88-9]) as a surface active agent at a level not to exceed 3.0 percent by weight of the finished pressure-sensitive adhesive.
- (b) Pressure-sensitive adhesives prepared from one or a mixture of two or more of the substances listed in this paragraph may be used as the food-contact surface of labels and/or tapes applied to raw fruit and raw vegetables.
  - (1) Substances listed in paragraphs [(a)(1)](#a-1), [(a)(2)](#a-2), [(a)(3)](#a-3), [(a)(5)](#a-5), [(a)(6)](#a-6), [(a)(7)](#a-7), [(a)(8)](#a-8), and [(a)(9)](#a-9) of this section, and those substances prescribed by [paragraph (a)(4)](#a-4) of this section that are not identified in [paragraph (b)(2)](#b-2) of this section.
  - (2) **Substances identified in this subparagraph and subject to the limitations provided—**
- (c) Acrylonitrile copolymers identified in this section shall comply with the provisions of [§ 180.22](/cfr/21/180.22.md) of this chapter.

## Notes

### Amendments

[42 FR 14534, Mar. 15, 1977, as amended at 42 FR 15674, Mar. 22, 1977; 48 FR 15617, Apr. 12, 1983; 63 FR 3464, Jan. 23, 1998; 63 FR 51528, Sept. 28, 1998; 64 FR 48291, Sept. 3, 1999]

### Authority

Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321, 342, 348, 379e.

### Source

Source: 42 FR 14534, Mar. 15, 1977, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[42 FR 14534, Mar. 15, 1977, as amended at 42 FR 15674, Mar. 22, 1977; 48 FR 15617, Apr. 12, 1983; 63 FR 3464, Jan. 23, 1998; 63 FR 51528, Sept. 28, 1998; 64 FR 48291, Sept. 3, 1999]