Ingesting glass fragments can cause injury to the consumer. These injuries may include damage to teeth, laceration of the mouth and throat, or perforation of the intestine. FDA’s Health Hazard Evaluation Board has supported regulatory action against products with glass 0.3 inch (7 mm) to 1 inch (25 mm) in length. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FFD&C Act) prohibits interstate commerce of adulterated foods (21 U.S.C. 331). Under the FFD&C Act, a food containing foreign objects is considered adulterated (21 U.S.C 342). See FDA’s “Compliance Policy Guide,” Sec. 555.425. Foreign objects that are less than 0.3 inch (7 mm) may cause trauma or serious injury to persons in special risk groups, such as infants, surgery patients, and the elderly. This document offers guidance as to the relevant steps to take to avoid glass inclusions. It can be downloaded free of charge from: www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/GuidanceRegulation/UCM252441.pdf
