Petrolatum may be safely used in food, subject to the provisions of this section.

1. (a) Petrolatum complies with the specifications set forth in the United States Pharmacopeia XX (1980) for white petrolatum or in the National Formulary XV (1980) for petrolatum.

2. (b) Petrolatum meets the following ultraviolet absorbance limits when subjected to the analytical procedure described in § 172.886(b):

   Ultraviolet absorbance per centimeter path length:

   Millimicrons	Maximum
   280-289	0.25
   290-299	.20
   300-359	.14
   360-400	.04

3. (c) Petrolatum is used or intended for use as follows:

   Use	Limitation (inclusive of all petroleum hydrocarbons that may be used in combination with petrolatum)
   In bakery products; as release agent and lubricant	With white mineral oil, not to exceed 0.15 percent of bakery product.
   In confectionery; as release agent and as sealing and polishing agent	Not to exceed 0.2 percent of confectionery.
   In dehydrated fruits and vegetables; as release agent	Not to exceed 0.02 percent of dehydrated fruits and vegetables.
   In egg white solids; as release agent	Not to exceed 0.1 percent of egg white solids.
   On raw fruits and vegetables; as protective coating	In an amount not to exceed good manufacturing practice.
   In beet sugar and yeast; as defoaming agent	As prescribed in § 173.340 of this chapter.

4. (d) Petrolatum may contain any antioxidant permitted in food by regulations issued in accordance with section 409 of the Act, in an amount not greater than that required to produce its intended effect.

[42 FR 14491, Mar. 15, 1977, as amended at 49 FR 10105, Mar. 19, 1984]