How to Use FDA Approved Dry Ice Packs for Shipping Safely?
In shipping, Chaque degré compte. When you need to keep food, vaccines or biological samples frozen, FDA approved dry ice packs for shipping offer ultra cold power without soaking your products. This guide shows you how to pick compliant materials, pack shipments correctly and follow the latest 2025 regulations so that you can protect perishable goods and meet customer expectations. La glace sèche sublime rapidement, so you must handle it carefully — the Food Safety and Inspection Service advises not letting dry ice touch food directly and labeling packages to warn recipients. Let’s explore what FDA approval means for dry ice packs and how you can use them effectively in your cold chain.
What does FDA approval mean for dry ice packs? Discover how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates materials that come into contact with food and why dry ice itself is not “approved.”
How can you ensure your dry ice packaging is food safe? Learn how to select materials like polyethylene and polypropylene that meet food contact standards.
Are dry ice packs better than gel packs or PCM for shipping? Compare temperature ranges, cost and safety considerations to choose the right refrigerant for your shipment.
What are the best practices for packing with dry ice in 2025? Follow step by step instructions from federal guidelines and logistics experts to keep your goods frozen without risking a hazardous incident.
What new trends and regulations are shaping the market? Explore the latest innovations in sustainable materials, IoT tracking and hybrid cold chain systems.
What Does FDA Approval Mean for Dry Ice Packs?
Réponse directe
Dry ice itself is not “approved” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); instead, the materials surrounding it must meet FDA requirements for food contact. The FDA regulates any substance that comes into contact with food — packaging, adhesives and coatings — to ensure chemicals do not migrate into the food. La glace sèche sublimait le dioxyde de carbone, leaving no residue, so the agency doesn’t approve the ice; it evaluates the polymer film and refrigerant gel in the pack. Compliant packs use food grade polyethylene or polypropylene outer films and non toxic refrigerant polymers to prevent chemical contamination. Always request proof of FDA compliance from suppliers and look for materials listed in the FDA’s food contact substance inventory.
Explication élargie
When a manufacturer claims to sell FDA approved dry ice packs, it usually refers to the packaging materials, not the carbon dioxide inside. Aux États-Unis, any material intended for direct food contact — including packaging, processing equipment and adhesives — is considered a food contact substance. Before these substances may be marketed, the FDA must authorize them via a Food Contact Notification (FCN) processus. This process evaluates migration studies and toxicology data to ensure that chemicals do not leach into food at unsafe levels. For dry ice packs, compliance typically involves:
Outer film: Manufacturers use FDA approved polyethylene (Pe), polypropylene (Pp) or multilayer films because they are inert and resist chemical migration. High density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) are common because they are sturdy and have good moisture barriers.
Refrigerant gel: The gel is a superabsorbent polymer that turns water into a viscous mass. Food grade gels are non toxic and inert. They must be formulated from FDA compliant ingredients and cannot leach harmful chemicals when frozen and thawed.
Sealants and adhesives: Food safe hot melt adhesives ensure the seams remain leak proof and prevent contamination.
It’s important to note that while the FDA oversees materials, other agencies regulate the transport of dry ice. The Department of Transportation (POINT) and International Air Transport Association (Iata) classify dry ice (UN1845) as a hazardous material because it can displace oxygen and cause asphyxiation. Shipping with dry ice therefore requires vented packaging and specific labels (see below). If you’re shipping pharmaceuticals, you may also need to comply with DEA restrictions.
Key components of FDA approved packaging
| Composant | Typical material | Food safety significance | Benefit to you |
| Outer film | High density or low density polyethylene (HDPE/LDPE), polypropylene (Pp) | Inert plastics that resist chemical migration and do not leach harmful substances | Protects the food from contamination and meets regulatory requirements |
| Refrigerant gel | Food grade superabsorbent polymer | Nontoxic and inert; retains water to provide long lasting cold without harmful chemicals | Keeps products frozen longer and ensures regulatory compliance |
| Sealants & adhésifs | Food grade hot melt adhesives | Creates secure, contamination free seals that prevent leaks | Prevents product damage and maintains pack integrity |
| Étiquetage | UN1845 dry ice labels and hazard warnings | Required by DOT/IATA; informs handlers about hazardous contents | Avoids fines and ensures safety during transit |
Conseils et suggestions pratiques
Verify documentation: Demander un supplier’s FDA compliance certificate for each component of your dry ice pack. Without documentation, you risk using unapproved materials.
Separate dry ice from food: Always use a barrier (Par exemple, cardboard layer or secondary bag) to prevent direct contact with food, as recommended by FSIS.
Étiqueter clairement: Mark packages with “Contains Dry Ice” and include net weight of dry ice to comply with transport regulations.
Exemple de cas: A gourmet seafood company switched to polyethylene wrapped dry ice packs after learning that some generic packs used recycled plastics with unknown additives. By verifying FDA compliance and adding an extra cardboard barrier between the ice and product, they eliminated customer complaints of off flavors and improved brand trust.
How to Ensure Dry Ice Packaging Is Food Safe When Shipping Food?
Réponse directe
Utiliser ventilé, insulated containers and avoid direct contact between dry ice and the food. Les États-Unis. Food Safety and Inspection Service advises packing perishable foods in a sturdy box with a cold source such as dry ice or gel packs and warns: don’t let dry ice touch the food; label the box “Contains Dry Ice”; and wrap the box in two layers of paper. Use gloves when handling dry ice, choose food grade packaging materials and monitor temperature to ensure food remains below 40 °F (4 °C). En plus, comply with DOT labeling requirements for hazardous materials..
Explication élargie
Safe packaging starts with an insulated container. Polystyrène expansé (PSE) or vacuum insulated panels provide high R values, meaning they slow heat transfer so that your ice lasts longer. UPS recommends placing dry ice in an EPS foam cooler inside a sturdy corrugated box. The cooler should have a lid but not be sealed airtight, because dry ice sublimates and needs to vent CO₂ gas. If gas accumulates, pressure can build and rupture the box.
Suivant, assurer separation between dry ice and food. FSIS advises not allowing direct contact because carbon dioxide can cause freezer burn or asphyxiate living tissue. Place a cardboard or foam spacer above the dry ice or use a plastic barrier. The UPS guide emphasises that the dry ice should only keep the packaging system cold; nothing should touch the ice.
Packing steps:
Pre chill the contents. Start with frozen food items to reduce the heat load.
Line the cooler with an absorbent pad to catch condensation or drip.
Layer dry ice at the bottom or top depending on product sensitivity. For shipments where CO₂ may sink, place dry ice on top to keep the cold air flowing downward.
Add a spacer between dry ice and your product to prevent direct contact.
Fill empty space with crumpled paper or foam peanuts to minimize air pockets and slow sublimation.
Close the cooler and put it inside a corrugated box with ventilation holes.
Mark the package with “UN1845 Dry Ice,” net weight in kilograms and the proper shipping name. Pour les expéditions d'air, follow IATA Packing Instruction 954 et point 49 CFR 173.217.
Alert the recipient about the dry ice. FSIS suggests writing “Keep Refrigerated” on the outside and notifying the recipient about expected arrival.
Additional considerations: choosing materials for safety
Polyethylene and polypropylene are widely used for outer films because they are inert, resistant to impact and have good cold crack performance. HDPE is the same plastic used in milk jugs and is FDA approved for food contact. Lors de l'expédition des produits pharmaceutiques, you may need thicker or multilayer films that reduce oxygen permeation. Dans 2025, there is a push toward biodegradable films made from polylactic acid (PLA) or cellulose; these materials can be FDA compliant but may have shorter shelf lives, so verify with your supplier.
Tips and suggestions
Portez un équipement de protection: La glace carbonique peut provoquer des engelures. Always wear insulated gloves and safety goggles when handling it.
Vent your container: Puncture small holes in the cardboard box or use a vented lid to allow gas to escape.
Add temperature loggers: Monitoring devices record internal temperatures and alert you if the package warms above safe limits.
Cas réel: A national meal kit company upgraded to vented EPS containers after a few shipments exploded due to trapped CO₂. They also started adding data loggers to their shipping boxes and discovered that using 5–10 pounds of dry ice per 24 heures, as recommended by logistics experts, was sufficient to keep meals frozen without overloading boxes.
Are Dry Ice Packs Better Than Gel Packs or PCMs for Shipping Frozen Goods?
Réponse directe
Dry ice packs provide the lowest temperatures but are not always the most cost effective choice. Dry ice sublimates at −78.5 °C, keeping products deeply frozen for 24–72 hours. Gel packs maintain refrigerated temperatures (0 °C to −20 °C) and are safer to handle but have shorter hold times and may leak moisture. Matériaux à changement de phase (PCMS) offer precise temperature control (2–8 °C ou –20 °C) and are reusable but cost more per cycle. Choosing the right refrigerant depends on your product’s target temperature, shipping duration and budget.
Explication élargie
Dry ice packs are ideal for frozen foods such as meat, seafood or ice cream, as well as biological samples requiring ultra cold conditions. They produce no liquid residue because CO₂ sublimates directly into gas, so there is no wet mess inside the package. Logistics planners typically allocate 5–10 livres (2.3–4,5 kg) de glace sèche par 24 heures of transit time and add a 20–25 % buffer for unexpected delays.
Cependant, dry ice is classified as a hazardous material. It requires special labeling and training to handle, and the cost per shipment is higher than gel packs due to single use nature. Gel packs use water based or polymer gels to keep products chilled without freezing. Ils sont flexibles, réutilisable et peu coûteux, making them suitable for meal kits and groceries. PCMs are engineered substances that change phase at specific temperatures, providing more stable temperature control than gel packs. PCMs are increasingly used for pharmaceuticals but have high up front costs and require return logistics.
Comparison of cooling options
| Option | Plage de température | Tenir le temps | Cost per shipment | Mieux pour |
| Packs de glace sec | –78 °C to –50 °C | 24–72 heures | Medium–high | Aliments surgelés, vaccines requiring ultra low temperatures |
| Packs de gel | 0 °C à –20 °C | 6–24 heures | Low–medium | Kits de repas, épiceries, moderate cold chain |
| Matériaux à changement de phase (PCM) | 2–8 °C ou –20 °C | 24–96 heures | High per cycle | Pharmaceuticals requiring precise temperature control |
Conseils et suggestions pratiques
Use hybrid systems for longer routes: UPS suggests combining dry ice with frozen gel packs to extend hold times and moderate the extreme cold, especially for shipments exceeding two days.
Match refrigerant to product sensitivity: For products sensitive to deep freezing, choose gel packs or PCM to maintain moderate temperatures and avoid freeze damage.
Consider return logistics: PCM packs are reusable; if your business has a subscription model with returns, the long term cost may be lower than single use dry ice packs.
Real world case: A biotechnology firm shipping vaccines switched from pure dry ice to a hybrid of dry ice and phase change packs. This reduced instances of temperature overshoot, lowered costs by 18 % and minimized regulatory paperwork because the hybrid system required less dry ice per shipment.
Combien de glace sèche devez-vous utiliser? Planning Hold Time and Cost
Réponse directe
Plan on 5–10 pounds (2.3–4,5 kg) of dry ice per 24 hour period and adjust for ambient temperature. Shipping guides recommend allocating about 5 lbs of dry ice for each 24 hours in mild conditions, increasing to 10 lbs for hot routes. The exact amount depends on container insulation (Valeur R), product mass and transit time. Always add an extra 24 hours of dry ice to account for delays and integrate real time monitoring for mission critical shipments.
Explication élargie
Dry ice sublimates at a rate that is influenced by external temperature, container insulation and the amount of air space inside the packaging. Par exemple, a small EPS cooler with an R value of about 3 ft²·°F·hr/BTU can maintain frozen temperatures for roughly 24–48 hours with 5 lbs of dry ice in moderate climates. In extreme summer heat or long haul routes, the rate of sublimation increases, so logistic planners use 8–10 lbs per day and sometimes up to 15 lbs for hot conditions or poorly insulated boxes.
Another factor is vide espace. Excess empty space accelerates sublimation because there is more air to heat. To improve efficiency:
Choose the smallest container that fits your products and dry ice packs.
Fill voids with paper or foam to reduce air pockets.
Place dry ice evenly around the product rather than piling it on one side.
Analyse des coûts: Dry ice is relatively inexpensive per pound, but because it sublimates completely, each shipment requires a fresh batch. According to market analyses, dry ice demand has been growing around 5 % annuellement, while CO₂ supply increases only 0.5 %, causing price spikes and shortages. En revanche, gel packs and PCM packs can be reused across multiple shipments, lowering long term expenses.
Tips and suggestions
Use hold time planners: Many suppliers provide charts estimating dry ice weight by ambient temperature and hold time. Use these tools to optimize weight and cost.
Prioritize insulation quality: Investing in higher R value materials (Par exemple, panneaux isolés sous vide) reduces the amount of dry ice needed, helping to offset supply fluctuations and regulatory burdens.
Plan for delays: Add 20–25 % extra dry ice beyond calculated requirements to account for weather or logistics delays.
Practical example: A specialty cheese distributor noticed that shipments were arriving partially thawed during summer. After analyzing ambient temperatures and container insulation, they increased dry ice from 6 lb 9 lbs per 48 hour trip and added foam inserts to reduce void space. Complaints dropped by 95 % and overall shipping cost increased only marginally due to better efficiency.
2025 Trends in FDA Compliant Dry Ice Packaging and Cold Chain Innovation
Aperçu de la tendance
L'industrie de la chaîne du froid évolue rapidement, et 2025 brings a focus on sustainability, safety and smart technologies. Emballage durable made from biodegradable polymers or recycled plastics is becoming more mainstream, helping companies meet environmental goals without compromising food safety. Capteurs intelligents integrated into packages now provide real time temperature and location data; shipping managers can adjust routes or request replenishment on the fly. Systèmes de refroidissement hybrides, combining dry ice with gel or PCM packs, help avoid over cooling and reduce the amount of dry ice needed. Market research shows that the global dry ice market is projected to reach $2.73 milliards 2032, but supply constraints due to limited CO₂ availability drive companies to explore alternatives.
Latest innovations at a glance
Biodegradable films and plant based gels: These new materials are FDA compliant and compostable, reducing plastic waste. They maintain similar barrier properties to traditional plastics but require careful moisture control.
IoT monitoring and blockchain: Packaging now often includes Bluetooth loggers that transmit temperature and humidity data. When combined with blockchain, this creates an immutable record of chain of custody and compliance.
Route aware packing algorithms: Software tools analyze weather forecasts, transit times and seasonal patterns to recommend optimal dry ice quantity and packaging type, amélioration de la fiabilité.
Insistance au marché
Rising consumer demand for meal kits, online groceries and at home diagnostic kits continues to fuel growth in the cold chain sector. Encore, customers increasingly value sustainability: they seek packaging that is reusable or recyclable. Many are willing to pay a premium for eco friendly options that still keep their food safe. Entre-temps, regulatory scrutiny around single use plastics and greenhouse gas emissions encourages businesses to adopt returnable PCM systems et renewable CO₂ production, such as capturing CO₂ from biogas or industrial waste streams. For small businesses, partnering with logistics providers who offer reusable dry ice containers and dry ice replenishment services can level the playing field and enhance reliability.
Questions fréquemment posées
Q1: Are dry ice packs themselves FDA approved?
La glace sèche sublime dans le gaz co₂, so the FDA doesn’t approve the ice. Plutôt, the outer film, gel and adhesives must meet FDA food contact standards. Always request compliance documentation from your supplier.
Q2: Puis-je réutiliser les packs de glace sec?
Solid dry ice sublimates entirely, so the refrigerant cannot be reused. Cependant, some hybrid packs use reusable phase change materials (PCMS) within an FDA approved shell. The shell can be refrozen and reused, reducing waste and cost.
Q3: How should I dispose of dry ice packs?
Allow any remaining dry ice to sublimate in a well ventilated area away from children or pets. Do not dispose of dry ice in sinks or drains. Once the CO₂ has dissipated, recycle or dispose of the packaging according to local guidelines for plastics.
Q4: What is the difference between food grade gel packs and therapy gel packs?
Shipping gel packs often use tough outer films that can adhere to skin when frozen. Manufacturers recommend not using shipping gel packs for medical therapy. Plutôt, use specially designed hot/cold therapy packs from healthcare suppliers.
Q5: Do I need special training to ship with dry ice?
Oui. Dry ice is a hazardous material, and carriers like UPS require shippers to comply with DOT and IATA regulations. Training covers safe handling, conditionnement, labeling and documentation.
Résumé et recommandations
Principaux à retenir: FDA approval for dry ice packs relates to the packaging materials, not the ice itself. Use HDPE, LDPE or PP films with food grade gels and adhesives. Prevent direct contact between dry ice and food and label packages clearly. Plan for 5–10 lbs of dry ice per 24 hours and adjust based on ambient temperature. Hybrid systems and reusable PCMs offer sustainable alternatives for moderate cold chain needs.
Plan d'action:
Audit your current dry ice packaging materials and request FDA compliance certificates.
Train staff on safe handling, packing and labeling procedures; follow FSIS and UPS guidelines.
Experiment with hybrid systems or reusable PCM packs to reduce dry ice usage and align with sustainability goals.
Implement temperature logging and route aware planning to optimize hold time and reduce waste.
Stay informed about emerging materials and regulations to maintain a competitive edge in the 2025 marché de la chaîne du froid.
À propos du tempk
Rotation is a leading cold chain solutions provider offering dry ice packs, packs de gel, phase change materials and insulated shipping containers. We design our packaging using food grade polymers and FDA compliant materials, ensuring safety for food and pharmaceutical shipments. Notre R.&Équipe D continuously tests new sustainable materials and smart packaging solutions, enabling our clients to meet regulatory requirements while reducing costs. Contact us to explore how our customizable packs and consulting services can improve your cold chain operations.
Appel à l'action: Prêt à optimiser votre chaîne froide? Reach out to our experts for a consultation on FDA approved dry ice packaging, hybrid solutions and temperature monitoring tools.
