Avery Dennison has received FDA Food Contact Notification 1716 (direct food compliance) for its R1490 adhesive, a high-performance product designed for use in reclosure label applications. The approval, which the company says is the first-of-its-kind for the reclose label space, means food packaging can feature the adhesive without a functional barrier between the label and food. This translates to one less constraint for packaging designers, and one more opportunity for label and packaging converters to expand their business.

A high-performance, “one-stop” adhesive, R1490 can be used in a wide range of food packaging applications such as deli meats, cheeses and fresh produce. For label converters, the FDA approval offers an opportunity to meet brand owners’ ever-evolving needs. For brand owners, the option to remove that functional barrier opens up the ability to do more, creatively, with packaging design.

“As this segment continues to grow, the R1490 FCN approval is an example of how Avery Dennison is driving to further enhance the consumer experience with brands through new reseal label applications and drive growth for our customers,” says Anh Marella, marketing director, Films, Avery Dennison.

As brand owners work to differentiate and add value to their products, many have embraced resealable labels, or “reclosures.” These are designed for easy opening and/or multiple open-close uses. They provide an economical method of repeated pack sealing, combined with branding, in one label.

Currently, the reclosure trend is rapidly growing in areas like flexible packaging and thermoform formats. That, in turn, is transforming food packaging: According to Euromonitor International, 190 billion retail units in the food industry will transition to flexible packaging in the next three to five years.

FDA-compliant reclosure adhesives for indirect food contact are already established in the marketplace. “Indirect” means some type of functional barrier must be present between the adhesive and product. Avery Dennison offers adhesives that meet these requirements through its Select Solutions Reclosure Portfolio.