A.F. Suter and Co. Ltd

Shellac, Waxes, Gums and Resins

Category: Printing & Packaging

In the Printing industry, Shellac is used as a binder for inks, including edible and flexographic inks, and is also used for photographic applications.

In the Paper industry, Shellac is used as a protective paper varnish, for example coating playing cards.

In the Packaging industry, Shellac is used as a water-resistant coating for packaging coming into direct contact with food, such as paper bags, plastic films and aluminium foil.

In Switzerland, Shellac is included in the list of permitted substances for the production of packaging inks. Shellac Resin is permitted for use as a binder, while Shellac Ammonium Salt and Shellac Wax are authorised as additives.  [Annex 10 of the Ordinance of the FDHA on materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs].

In the US, Shellac is included in the FDA’s list of resinous and polymeric coatings that “may be safely used as the food-contact surface of articles intended for use in producing, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, packaging, transporting, or holding food” (21CFR175.300). In addition, Shellac “may be safely used as a component of the uncoated or coated food-contact surface of paper and paperboard intended for use in producing, manufacturing, packaging, processing, preparing, treating, packing, transporting, or holding aqueous and fatty foods” (21CFR176.170). Furthermore, Shellac “may be safely used as components of the uncoated or coated food-contact surface of paper and paperboard intended for use in producing, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, packaging, transporting, or holding dry food” (21CFR176.180). Shellac is also included in the list of adhesives that “may be safely used as components of articles intended for use in packaging, transporting, or holding food” (21CFR175.105). Finally, purified food grade Shellac is included in the list of diluents in colour additive mixtures for marking food, namely “inks for marking food supplements in tablet form, gum, and confectionery” (21CFR73.1).

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