FDA typically does not regulate solvents in food-contact packaging because, due to their generally volatile nature, they are not expected to be present in the finished product at “significant” levels. However, it is necessary to establish that the use of a solvent (or any other food-contact material or component) complies with FDA's good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements. In particular, Section 174.5 ("General provisions applicable to indirect food additives") states that "[a]ny substance used as a component of articles that contact food shall be of a purity suitable for its intended use."

In many cases, since the solvent will volatilize during processing and not be present in the finished material, there is no concern raised. In some cases, though, there is the potential for low residual levels of the solvent to be present. If this is the case, it is important to ensure these that the potential dietary exposure, based on publicly available information on the solvent's toxicity, is sufficiently low to be considered safe.