Chitec Technology is delighted to announce that our revolutionary UV light blocker, Chiguard® GA403, has obtained approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in PET containers that come into contact with food. This approval comes after two years of intensive testing and application, and represents a significant achievement in our ongoing efforts to develop greener, safer, and more effective chemistry.

• Why is a UV light blocker necessary for PET bottles?

PET bottles are a popular choice for packaging due to their transparency, which allows consumers to easily inspect the color and condition of the contents. However, PET is susceptible to UV-A rays, which can penetrate the material and cause harmful effects on the contents, such as food spoilage. To prevent this, a UV light blocker is added to PET bottles, which can effectively block harmful UV rays and protect the quality and safety of the contents.

Similar to how our skin can become damaged and tan from exposure to sunlight, photosensitive ingredients in PET bottles, such as edible dyes and nutritional components, can also be damaged by UV radiation. This is why UV light blockers are added to food-grade PET bottles. By understanding the photosensitive characteristics of the contents, the appropriate UV light blocker can be selected, allowing a UV-blocking layer be created in the bottle wall. This helps to ensure storage stability and maintain the safety of the contents.

GA403 has excellent UV light absorption efficiency. Adding just 0.15% of GA403 to a 1mm thick PET film is enough to effectively block all UV rays without affecting the color of the PET bottle, thereby preserving the aesthetic appeal of the product.

The recent approval of GA403 by the FDA is a testament to its safety and reliability for use in food packaging. With its excellent optical properties and food contact safety, GA403 is poised to become a leading material for PET bottle packaging.

GA403 has also made significant progress in its global regulatory registration and patent layout. As of the end of 2021, patent applications have been completed in several countries, including the US, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and China. Furthermore, the certification process by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is currently underway, further expanding its potential for use in the European market.

If you would like to learn more about GA403, please refer to our technical article at https://www.chitec.com/en/innovation/detail/Chiguard-GA403

Alternatively, feel free to contact our team at sales@chitec.com for any inquiries.

We look forward to hearing from you and discussing how GA403 can benefit your business.

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