21 CFR § 573.780 - Polyethylene.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t21/s573.780"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "21 CFR § 573.780 - Polyethylene."
title_number: 21
title_name: "Food and Drugs"
section_number: "573.780"
section_name: "Polyethylene."
chapter_name: "FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "E"
subchapter_name: "ANIMAL DRUGS, FEEDS, AND RELATED PRODUCTS"
part_number: "573"
part_name: "FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FEED AND DRINKING WATER OF ANIMALS"
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."
regulatory_source: "41 FR 38652, Sept. 10, 1976, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "573"
---
# 573.780 Polyethylene.
(a) *Identity.* Polyethylene consists of basic polymers manufactured by the catalytic polymerization of ethylene.
(b) *Specifications.* (1) For the purposes of this section, polyethylene shall meet the specifications in item 2.1 of § 177.1520(c) of this chapter.
(2) The polyethylene is designed in a pellet form in a configuration presenting maximum angular surface having the following dimensions in centimeters:
0.9 ±0.1 × 0.8 ±0.1 × 1.2 ±0.1
(c) *Use.* It is used as a replacement for roughage in feedlot rations for finishing slaughter cattle.
(d) *Labeling.* The labels and labeling shall bear in addition to the other information required by the Act:
(1) The name of the additive “polyethylene roughage replacement.”
(2) Adequate directions for use which shall provide for the administration of one-half pound of polyethylene pellets per head per day for 6 successive days. All natural roughage should be removed for a minimum of 12 hours prior to administration of polyethylene roughage replacement. Roughage replacement must be adequately mixed in the ration for uniform distribution.
[41 FR 38652, Sept. 10, 1976, as amended at 54 FR 18282, Apr. 28, 1989]