---
kind: "section"
citation: "21 C.F.R. § 178.3700"
title: "21"
number: "178.3700"
heading: "Petrolatum."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/21/178.3700"
---

# §178.3700. Petrolatum.


Petrolatum may be safety used as a component of nonfood articles in contact with food, in accordance with the following conditions:

- (a) Petrolatum complies with the specifications set forth in the United States Pharmacopeia XX (1980) for white petrolatum or in the National Formulary XV (1980) for yellow petrolatum.
- (b) Petrolatum meets the following ultraviolet absorbance limits when subjected to the analytical procedure described in [§ 172.886(b)](/cfr/21/172.886.md?p=b) of this chapter:

  Ultraviolet absorbance per centimeter pathlength:

- (c) It is used or intended for use as a protective coating of the surfaces of metal or wood tanks used in fermentation process, in an amount not in excess of that required to produce its intended effect.
- (d) Petrolatum as defined by this section may be used for the functions described and within the limitations prescribed by specific regulations in parts [175](/cfr/21/part175.md), [176](/cfr/21/part176.md), 177, and 178 of this chapter which prescribe uses of petrolatum. For the purpose of cross-reference, such specific regulations include: §§ [175.105](/cfr/21/175.105.md), [175.125](/cfr/21/175.125.md), [175.300](/cfr/21/175.300.md), [176.170](/cfr/21/176.170.md), [176.200](/cfr/21/176.200.md), [176.210](/cfr/21/176.210.md), [177.2600](/cfr/21/177.2600.md), [177.2800](/cfr/21/177.2800.md), and [178.3570](/cfr/21/178.3570.md) of this chapter.
- (e) Petrolatum may contain any antioxidant permitted in food by regulations issued pursuant to [section 409](/cfr/21/409.md) of the act, in an amount not greater than that required to produce its intended effect.

## Notes

### Amendments

[42 FR 14609, Mar. 15, 1977, as amended at 49 FR 10113, Mar. 19, 1984; 55 FR 12172, Apr. 2, 1990]

### Authority

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

### Source

Source: 42 FR 14609, Mar. 15, 1977, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[42 FR 14609, Mar. 15, 1977, as amended at 49 FR 10113, Mar. 19, 1984; 55 FR 12172, Apr. 2, 1990]