We make our films from inert simple polymers – mainly polyethylene derived from naturally organic American and Canadian natural gas fossil fuels.  The plants and dinosaurs which were precursors to oil and gas were probably pasture-raised, free range and cage free.

Substances of very high concern ( SVHC ) are not a component of the feedstocks and catalysts used to make nearly all plastics.  The resins we use are prop 65 / CONEG compliant and BPA free.

Our 100% recyclable plastic films are naturally non-GMO, contain no antibiotics or hormones, are gluten free, heavy metal HMF free, allergen free, phthalate free, contain no pesticides, have no sugar added and contain no high fructose corn syrup.

We do not have slave labor and there is no slave labor in our supply chain.  Seriously – we have written over 20 letters confirming we do not have slave labor in our factory in St. Louis, MO.  Fossil fuel issues aside, plastics are ethically sourced and conflict free.

Just a few hysterical articles about long shot possible health risks result in globocorps requiring a letter to confirm certain substances are not in the plastic.   What is most important: what is not in the plastic.

If you are a customer and need one of these letters, contact us.

Compliance-specific letters are issued only to customers upon request.

Here in alphabetical order is a combination glossary / list of most commonly encountered regulations along with a brief definition with links for more in-depth information.

Allergens
To claim a product is allergen or sensitizer free without labeling and fully comply with the US FDA Food Allergen Labelling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and EU directive 2003/89/EC, the finished product must not contain peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat/gluten, fish, shellfish, sulphur dioxide and sulfites, food colors, celery, seeds, natural rubber latex monosodium glutamate (MSG) and aspartame.

BPA free
What is BPA? BPA is short for Bisphenol A which is utilized as a catalyst in the manufacture of epoxy, PVC and polycarbonate resins. Bisphenol A BPA never has been and never will be a component of polyethylene resins.

California Proposition 65
Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, prop 65 was ostensibly enacted to prevent carcinogenic substances from getting into drinking water.  Even though some chemicals listed were used for pigmentation of plastics and mostly phased out in the US, the scope of prop 65 continues to expand.

CAS
Chemical Abstract Services is a generic database of chemicals accumulated for over 100 years.

Each CAS Registry Number (often referred to as a CAS Number):
• Is a unique numeric identifier
• Designates only one substance
• Has no chemical significance

CFC
CFC is an abbreviation for Chlorinated Fluorocarbons. Concerns about CFC’s have to do with ozone depletion. Not applicable to the manufacture of polyethylene film or polyethylene resins.

CFIA
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)  approval of films and resin is practically impossible. To comply with their packaging regulations, every variation on a theme must be submitted for approval. Our 622 film has recently attained CFIA approval.

CONEG
The  Coalition of Northeast Governors was created in 1976 for economic development of the Northeast states, the scope was widened in 1992 to the TPCH, or Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse.

FDA
To be a US Food and Drug Administration or FDA approved plastic for prolonged contact with food and food grade packaging, there must be a trail of letters back to the resin manufacturer with specific language regarding compliance with 21 CFR section 177.1520. In practice, this is not enforced.

We do not publish the specific language for FDA approval online for obvious reasons. Click here for the truth about FDA approval.

GMO  Genetically Modified Organism
Polyethylene made from natural gas feedstocks are not made from an organism whose DNA has been modified. To determine whether a bio-based plastic such as polylactic acid (PLA) has been made from a GMO crop, check with your supplier.

HMF   Heavy Metal Free
To be HMF/Heavy Metal Free, a resin manufacturer must confirm that they do not intentionally add during the polymerization or formulation processes the heavy metals lead, cadmium mercury and hexavalent chromium. The total allowable combined concentration is 100 ppm to comply with CONEG, prop 65 and EU RoHS.

Kosher
Kosher approval is a more rigorous standard than FDA approval. Kosher requires an annual investigation of raw materials and manufacturing practices. All pigments must be HMF heavy metal free. A certificate is issued by the local Vad Hoier. We supply copies of our certificate as requested by customers.

Melamine
Melamine is a thermoset plastic, not a thermoplastic polymer. It is used mainly to make dishware.

PFOA
PFOA is an additive used for making non-stick cookware. Not used for making PE plastic film.

Phthalate free
Phthalates were once ubiquitous and used for a variety of applications. As phthalates apply to plastics, they were used as plasticizers to soften polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Phthalates are not utilized to make polyethylene resins or film.

REACH statement a/k/a RoHS
Short for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals required by the European Directive RoHS (1907/2006/EU) which went into effect on December 18, 2006. REACH or RoHS is an example of a regulation with a long reach. Any product manufactured outside the EU and shipped into the EU must comply. Click here to download the RoHS certificate.

The manufacturer must state that the product is not manufactured with ingredients that would intentionally add lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent Chromium, polybrominated biphenyls PBB, Polybrominated diphenyl ethers PBDE, chlorinated paraffin or hexabromocyclodedecane.

Substances of Very High Concern SVCH
Substances of Very High Concern SVCH are substances which may have serious and often irreversible effects on humans and the environment. See REACH.

USDA United States Department of Agriculture
There is no such thing as USDA approved plastic film.