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Sec. 500.400 Use of Calcium Chloride as a Drying Agent in Such Products as Packaged Potato Chips and Peanuts (CPG 7117.02)

BACKGROUND:

We received a letter discussing a plan to include a cartridge of calcium chloride as a drying agent in packages of such products as potato chips and peanuts.

POLICY:

*We have advised inquirers that we would not object to the use of such cartridges provided the following conditions prevail:*

1. The calcium chloride is enclosed in a container so constructed as to prevent contamination of the food by sifting of the dry substance, or leakage should it become dissolved in moisture taken up from the atmosphere.

2. The container should be made of materials suitable for use in contact with food and should be of sufficient size to ensure that the article will not be accidentally chewed or ingested along with the food.

3. The package containing the food is conspicuously labeled to show the presence of the container with the calcium chloride and that the calcium chloride is not a part of the food in the package.

4. The container is not of such dimensions as to increase the size of the food package so as to mislead purchasers with respect to the quantity of food contained therein.

5. The quantity of contents of the food package is declared in terms of the food therein exclusive of the calcium chloride and its container.

6. The package of calcium chloride should be identified with the nature of the desiccant, *and* the fact that it should not be opened or eaten.

*Material between asterisks is new or revised.*

Issued: 9/14/76
Reissued: 10/1/80, 6/27/88
Revised: 3/95