subchapter_subject: "FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION (CONTINUED)"
part_code: "186"
part_subject: "INDIRECT FOOD SUBSTANCES AFFIRMED AS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE"
subpart_code: "B"
subpart_subject: "Listing of Specific Substances Affirmed as GRAS"
section_number: "186.1316"
section_subject: "Formic acid."
cfr_reference: "21 CFR 186.1316"
title_name: "Title 21"
title_subject: "Food and Drugs"
parts_covered: "Parts 170 to 199"
revised_date: "Revised as of April 1, 2019"
publication_date: "As of April 1, 2019"
contains_description: "Containing a codification of documents of general applicability and future effect"
publication_info: "Published by the Office of the Federal Register National Archives and Records Administration as a Special Edition of the Federal Register"
---
(a)Formic acid (CH2O2, CAS Reg. No. 64-18-6) is also referred to as methanoic acid or hydrogen carboxylic acid. It occurs naturally in some insects and is contained in the free acid state in a number of plants. Formic acid is prepared by the reaction of sodium formate with sulfuric acid and is isolated by distillation.
(b)Formic acid is used as a constituent of paper and paperboard used for food packaging.
(c)The ingredient is used at levels not to exceed good manufacturing practice in accordance with § 186.1(b)(1).
(d)Prior sanctions for formic acid different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived.