21 CFR § 178.3650 - Odorless light petroleum hydrocarbons.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t21/s178.3650"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "21 CFR § 178.3650 - Odorless light petroleum hydrocarbons."
title_number: 21
title_name: "Food and Drugs"
section_number: "178.3650"
section_name: "Odorless light petroleum hydrocarbons."
chapter_name: "FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION"
part_number: "178"
part_name: "INDIRECT FOOD ADDITIVES: ADJUVANTS, PRODUCTION AIDS, AND SANITIZERS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "21 U.S.C. 321, 342, 348, 379e."
regulatory_source: "42 FR 14609, Mar. 15, 1977, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "178"
---
# 178.3650 Odorless light petroleum hydrocarbons.
Odorless light petroleum hydrocarbons may be safely used, as a component of nonfood articles intended for use in contact with food, in accordance with the following prescribed conditions:
(a) The additive is a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons derived from petroleum or synthesized from petroleum gases. The additive is chiefly paraffinic, isoparaffinic, or naphthenic in nature.
(b) The additive meets the following specifications:
(1) Odor is faint and not kerosenic.
(2) Initial boiling point is 300 °F minimum.
(3) Final boiling point is 650 °F maximum.
(4) Ultraviolet absorbance limits determined by method specified in § 178.3620(b)(1)(ii), as follows:
| Wavelength (Mµ) | Maximum absorbance per centimeter optical pathlength |
| --- | --- |
| 280 to 289 | 4.0 |
| 290 to 299 | 3.3 |
| 300 to 329 | 2.3 |
| 330 to 360 | .8 |
(c) The additive is used as follows:
| Use | Limitations |
| --- | --- |
| As a plasticizer and absorber oil in the manufacture of polyolefin articles authorized for food contact use | In an amount not to exceed that required to produce intended effect, consistent with good manufacturing practice. |
| As a lubricant of fibers of textiles authorized for food contact use | At a use level not to exceed 0.15 percent by weight of finished fibers. |
| As a component of adhesives | Complying with § 175.105 of this chapter. |
| As a defoamer in the manufacture of paper and paperboard | Complying with § 176.210 of this chapter. |
| As a defoamer in coatings | Complying with § 176.200 of this chapter. |