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Updated: September 03, 2025
In general, adhesives are not safe for consumption, but there are several instances where glues come into contact with food. Especially for businesses in the food and beverage industry, they need an adhesive that is safe and will not leave them liable. In these instances, a food-safe glue is required.
What Is a Food-Safe Adhesive?
A food-safe adhesive is a type of adhesive that is approved for use in applications with indirect contact with food. These applications can include everything from food packaging to the manufacturing of food prep equipment.
There are several country-specific regulatory bodies governing the use of adhesives in food packaging, but the most widely recognized is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA classifies food-safe adhesives as a food-contact substance (FCS), "a substance that comes into contact with food and is not intended to have a technical effect in such food."1 Common types of food-grade glues include hot melts and cyanoacrylates.
FDA Regulations for Food-Grade Adhesives
Many FDA regulations focus directly on the manufacturer's responsibility to use the correct, approved adhesive for food packaging. Adhesive manufacturers must follow the formulation rules as stipulated by FDA 175.105 as well as section 175.300 for a safe food packaging adhesive.
Regulations concerning plastic material or chemicals that come into contact with food or the food process stipulate that the substances must pass stringent food safety requirements, even if they are used in packaging or the factory production environment.
FDA-compliant adhesives must also be manufactured from pre-approved raw materials. The adhesive formula manufacturer may use any substance listed under FDA's Section 175.105. The regulation also places physical restraints on how the manufacturers can use adhesives in food articles and ensures the adhesives are separated from food by some form of practical barrier or layer. This includes the quantity of adhesive contacting aqueous and fatty foods not exceeding trace amounts at the edge of packaging laminates.
The adhesive should also not exceed the limit of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice). The most important GMP requirement for packaging materials is that they are suitably pure for their intended food type. This means they may not impart anything on the food that would make it harmful to someone's health, such as giving the food an odor or affecting the taste.
All food-grade glues and adhesives used in flexible food packaging must also be adequately cured. A full cure ensures all components, especially the adhesive's starting materials, are not at levels higher than was found in the testing done to establish that the product wouldn't migrate into the food.
Food-Safe Glue Applications
Food-grade glues are required for a variety of different applications, including for use with kitchen goods, food packaging, and food production line equipment. They are found on dry food packaging, paper wrapping that encases food, and labels for food products. They are also used to seal cartons containing food products.
Along with packaging needs, food-safe adhesive glues that are FDA-approved are needed to bond mesh gauze on filters, sieves, and strainers. They bond handles onto kitchen knives as well as handles onto coffee pots. They are also used to seal parts on dispensing equipment like ice cream or beverage dispensers. For any number of applications related to food products, food-safe glues are typically required.
Food-Grade Adhesive Recommendations
With so many different food-related products, there are a ton of food-safe adhesives to choose from. Each has its own strengths, and many are designed with specific applications in mind. Below are a few different types of food-grade adhesive products we recommend and that you can try for yourself.
This product is a great food adhesive for packaging, case and carton sealing, and tray forming. A low temperature, food-safe EVA, it is applied at 250°F for safer application and also has great thermal stability to minimize char buildup in your equipment. This food-safe adhesive glue is compatible with difficult board stocks and substrates and also has a fast set speed that makes it ideal for faster production lines.
There is also the choice of a hot melt that is metallocene-based. They are different from traditional EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) because they melt extremely cleanly and have almost no odor. This type of hot melt comes at a small premium, but it can be a great food-safe adhesive solution for anyone having odor or bonding issues in their packaging application. It also offers a fast set time for higher-speed production lines.
This high-temperature hot melt offers a strong and fast-setting bond that works best on corrugated or cardboard stock. There is very little odor and no stringing. It will also provide great pot stability. Its heat stability and low viscosity make it a perfect solution for many manual and automated packaging applications.
Instead of using a food-safe glue, 3M has a series of tapes that are compliant with FDA requirements for indirect food contact adhesive applications per 21 CFR 175.105. This revolutionary tape can replace traditional mechanical fasteners, including the issues that come with them. They can help create strong, durable, and lightweight bonds.
The tapes come in different thicknesses for more diversity in application, including 0.6 mm, 1.1 mm, and 1.6 mm.
Tecbond 241B Biodegradable Glue Sticks
We also carry glue sticks that are approved for indirect contact with food and are biodegradable. This product is manufactured with 45% bio-based materials. It is biodegradable and meets ASTM D6400 standards for adhesives, so it is can break down into non-toxic chemicals. There are also other biodegradable hot melt adhesives available.
Find a Food-Safe Adhesive for Your Needs
Not sure which product fits your application? We have a wide selection of food-grade adhesives with different properties for various applications. Our experts can review your substrates, application requirements, and budget to recommend the right option for your specific needs at no cost. All you have to do is contact one of our experts.
Sources:
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2023). Food Packaging & Other Substances that Come in Contact with Food - Information for Consumers
