The most important point to be remembered is that there is no federal certification granted to industrial gases used for food processing be it freezing, formulation or packaging. The gases that are classified as GRAS are carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, nitrous oxide and propane. The Code of Federal Regulations section 184.1 describes each of these gases, with respect to suitability, with the same phrasing. This, in part, is:
· The ingredient must be of a purity suitable for its intended use.
· In accordance with 184.1--- (last three numbers identify the gas), the ingredient is used in food with no limitations other than current good manufacturing practice. The affirmation of this ingredient as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a direct human food ingredient is based upon the following current good manufacturing conditions of use:
o The ingredient is used in food at levels not to exceed current good manufacturing practice.
o Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived.”
As stated, gas suppliers are only responsible for the purity of the product and the other sanctions (i.e. … good manufacturing practices…) are controlled by the food processor or the gas supplier’s customer.
Additionally, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and argon were recognized as ingredients after 1997 and are not listed in 21 CFR. They have subsequently been given a GRAS Notice under the heading of “No Questions” which means that the FDA had no questions as to the validity of the outside expert’s consensus.
The important fact to take away is that the any gases labeled “Food Grade” have been certified in house by the manufacturer and not by the FDA. The certification is by purity defined by best practice in the manufacture and handling of the product to its final package (cylinders, micro-bulk vessels, transports and large cryogenic vessels). Food processors have been conditioned to look for food grade products and like to see clean packages with clear labels. So having dedicated “food grade” cylinders and/or tanks is important to service this market as is evidenced by the major companies naming and trademarking their respective lines of food grade gases.
