US compliance
What it takes to sell produce packaging in the US
Food-contact film sold to US packers has to clear federal food safety rules, state chemical laws and, increasingly, state rules on recycling claims. Here is each requirement and the document we provide for it.
Certifications on file
Current certifications
FDA 21 CFR 177Food-contact compliant resins, letter of guarantee
FSSC 22000GFSI food safety system for packaging manufacture
BRCGS Packaging MaterialsGFSI packaging materials standard
HACCPHazard analysis for packaging production
ISO 9001Quality management
ISO 14001Environmental management
California Prop 65No listed chemicals requiring a warning
BPA-freeNo bisphenol A in any film or adhesive
Federal food safety
| Requirement | Applies to | What StayFresh provides | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDA food-contact regulations (21 CFR 174–178) Every resin and additive in a film that touches produce must be cleared for food contact. For polyethylene that is mainly 21 CFR 177.1520 (olefin polymers). | All food-contact packaging sold in the US | Continuing letter of guarantee covering each grade | On file |
| FSMA supplier approval Packers and processors registered with FDA must approve their packaging suppliers under their food safety plan. In practice buyers ask for a GFSI-benchmarked certificate. | Your customers' food safety teams | FSSC 22000 and BRCGS Packaging Materials certificates | On file |
| Recycled content in food contact Post-consumer recycled plastic needs an FDA no-objection letter for the recycling process before it can be used in food-contact film. | Recycled-content grades only | Resin supplier's FDA no-objection letter, per grade | Ask for status |
State chemical laws
| Requirement | Applies to | What StayFresh provides | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Proposition 65 Products sold in California need a warning if they expose people to listed chemicals above safe-harbor levels. | Packaging sold into California | Prop 65 statement by film family | On file |
| Bisphenol A BPA is on the Prop 65 list and is a frequent buyer questionnaire item. | All formats | BPA-free declaration | On file |
| Toxics in Packaging laws (19 states) Lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium may not be intentionally added, and their combined incidental level must stay under 100 ppm. Suppliers give a certificate of compliance on request. | CA, NY, WA, NJ, IL, MN and other adopting states | Toxics in Packaging certificate of compliance | Ask for status |
| PFAS in food packaging California, New York, Washington, Minnesota, Colorado and several other states ban intentionally added PFAS in food packaging. | Food packaging sold in those states | PFAS-free declaration | Ask for status |
Environmental claims and EPR
| Requirement | Applies to | What StayFresh provides | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| California SB 343 (in force October 4, 2026) A recyclable claim or chasing-arrows symbol on a pack sold in California is only allowed if the material meets the state's collection and sorting thresholds. | Anyone printing recycling claims on packs sold in CA | Format-by-format recyclability guidance | On file |
| FTC Green Guides Recyclable, recycled-content and compostable claims must be specific and qualified where collection is limited. | All US marketing and on-pack claims | Claim wording reviewed for each format | Ask for status |
| California AB 1201 compostable labeling Products labeled compostable in California must meet ASTM D6400 or D6868 and carry third-party certification. | Compostable grades only | Compostability certificate | Ask for status |
| Packaging EPR (CA SB 54 and other states) California, Oregon, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Maryland and Washington run packaging producer responsibility programs. The brand owner usually reports, and needs resin type and weight by component. | Your brand, for packs sold in those states | Resin, weight and structure data per SKU | Ask for status |
This page summarizes requirements as of October 2026 for buyers' convenience. It is not legal advice; state laws change, so confirm current requirements for the states where your packs are sold.
Need a document for a supplier approval?
Tell us which buyer questionnaire or audit you are completing and we send the full pack.