Is your rubber FDA Approved?
13th August, 2018
This means our Food Grade Rubber is approved for use in sterile environments such as the food and beverages industry, as well as some pharmaceutical and cosmetics sector applications.
Why is FDA approval important?
FDA rubber must comply with official regulations and be certified for use during food and beverage production. Silicone is recognised as the most appropriate rubber compound for use in the food and beverage production process, although other types of rubber can also be used depending on the application.
For example, natural rubber can be used where the rubber is likely to be exposed to wet and dry organic acids, alcohol, and chemicals with moderate pH levels.
Conversely, Neoprene works best in situations where products will be exposed to aggressive wear and tear, thanks to its malleable properties and ability to withstand damage caused by flexing and twisting.
FDA Approved Silicone from Aquaseal
As mentioned above, Silicone is widely considered the best rubber compound for use in sterile environments, and especially in the food and beverages production process. Food grade silicone is produced to be both heat and open flame resistant, as well as an electric insulator.
In applications where food is being cooked, silicone performs exceptionally – it can withstand temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and will not degrade or boil. Additionally, if the application requires food to be stored at extremely low temperatures, silicone will be the obvious choice, as it will retain its strength at temperatures of below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Aesthetic specifications of Food Grade Rubber
To ensure our rubber doesn’t make an item look too industrial, Aquaseal will typically process and manufacture food grade rubber to be white in colour.
This means the product will not look out of place in domestic or commercial applications, and will appeal to the medical sector thanks to its unassuming appearance.
Applications of Food Grade Rubber
The food and beverages industry offers a number of opportunities to fit food grade rubber in the manufacturing process, including;
- Production
- Packing
- Processing
- Preparing
- Holding
Using food grade rubber in these applications means you can guarantee preserved product quality and eliminate exposure to contaminants or foreign elements. FDA approved rubber is mould-resistant and will protect against harmful build-ups of unwanted bacteria.
Aquaseal produce several products made of food grade rubber to assist your facilities sterile processes, including;
- Gaskets
- Seals
- Tubing
- Conveyor belts
- Counter top matting
FDA approved rubber offers a significant level of abrasion resistance, and will feature a smooth, solid surface that is easily cleaned even with industrial level sterilisation solutions.
Even more importantly, FDA approved rubber contains no contaminants or impurities, meaning it will never affect the taste or odour of any food which it may come into contact with.
Which standards should FDA approved rubber meet?
The FDA directory of regulations and standards is extensive, covering everything from prescription drugs to tobacco products, and the processes involved with them.
Aquaseal’s food grade rubber is certified by the FDA under Title 21 (FDA CFR 177.2600) – legislation which covers rubber for repeated use.
Get in touch!
If you are looking for a rubber company that puts their customers and products first, get in touch at (https://www.aquasealrubber.co.uk/contact/)
