You may have always thought these two terms meant the same thing. Or maybe you know they’re different but not sure what each one means.
So, what does each one actually mean?
In short, food-grade means that the material is suitable to come into direct contact with food.
And food safe means that the food-grade material and the finished product are suitable for their intended use and will not create a food safety hazard.
The key difference here is regarding materials and finished products.
Food grade typically refers to material and essentially states that the material doesn’t contain any toxins or dangerous substances. For something to be considered food grade, the material must be able to be cleaned effectively, and not allow any foreign particles to find their way into food. Generally, the surface should be smooth and free of any imperfections such as cracks, ridges, or crevices, where bacteria could grow.
When this material is used to create a product, the situation changes slightly, and this is where food-safe comes in. A product is said to be food-safe when it is declared safe to use for the specific purpose for which it is designed. This includes considerations like the temperature that it will be used at, the ability to clean the product, and how long it will be in contact with food.
Take a plastic container as an example.
The plastic that the container is constructed from doesn’t contain any toxins, and is free from imperfections, so is declared to be food grade.
For the container to be declared as food safe, however, the following conditions may also need to be considered:
- What temperature range is it safe to hold food at?
- How long is it designed to hold food?
- What chemicals can be used to clean the container?
- How easy is it to clean the container?
These considerations would depend on the product. For instance, a container that is designed to be disposable would not need to meet any conditions for cleaning.
As a further example, a cleaning brush may be made entirely from food-grade materials. However, for it to be food-safe it would also need to be designed in a way that:
-ensures it doesn’t harbor bacteria
-retains bristles effectively, to prevent foreign body contamination
FAQs
So, what does each one actually mean? In short, food grade means that the material is suitable to come into direct contact with food. And food safe means that the food grade material and finished product is suitable for it's intended use and will not create a food safety hazard.
What is the definition of food grade? ›
Food grade means that the material is either safe for human consumption or it is okay to come into direct contact with food products.
How to tell if something is food grade? ›
You should see the classic recycling symbol with a number inside of it. Generally, food grade plastics will be labeled with either 1, 2, 4, or 5. These refer to polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and polypropylene (PP), respectively.
What is the difference between FDA compliant and food grade? ›
"FDA compliant" means that a material meets all of the FDA's guidelines for safe, direct contact with food. It's essentially an official way of saying a material is "food grade." To be FDA compliant, a material must be able to withstand the environment it will be used in.
What does it mean if something is food safe? ›
Food-safe and food safety mean handling, preparing, and storing food in a way that optimally reduces the risk of consumers and those that prepare the food becoming sick from foodborne illnesses (listeriosis, E. coli, salmonella, etc.). In other words, food-safe means sanitary, hygienic, and clean.
Is there a difference between food-safe and food grade? ›
So, what does each one actually mean? In short, food grade means that the material is suitable to come into direct contact with food. And food safe means that the food grade material and finished product is suitable for it's intended use and will not create a food safety hazard.
What does food grade only mean? ›
Food-grade is considered anything that's okay to either consume or come in direct contact with food. This includes the non-toxic plastic materials used to create food manufacturing equipment, like the components of conveyor belts, and items used by chefs, like cutting boards made from HDPE sheets.
What is the symbol for food grade safe? ›
Food safe symbol
The international symbol for "food safe" material is a wine glass and a fork symbol. The symbol indicates that the material used in the product is considered safe for food contact. This includes food and water containers, packaging materials, cutlery etc.
What is the code for food grade? ›
Food safe plastic bottles include code numbers 2,4, and 5 for storage as they are food grade. Code number 1 is safe for single-use. If re-used, they become dangerous.
What does food grade certified mean? ›
The Definition of “Food Grade”
The term, “food grade,” refers to the materials used in equipment. To be defined as food grade, materials need to be non-toxic and safe for consumption.
As explained, 'food grade' demands that all food components, as well as the surfaces and tools that interact with them during the manufacturing/assembly process, are safe for human consumption and/or exposure.
What surfaces are food safe? ›
These surfaces can be furnished from a range of food-safe and/or food-grade materials, such as stainless steel, plastic, wood, rubber, glass, or ceramics. Although these materials may vary, all must be strong enough to stand up to frequent cleanings with harsh, acidic cleansers.
What is meant by food grade? ›
“Food grade” refers to the materials from which a product is made. It indicates that it is permitted to come into direct contact with food meant for human consumption. Food-grade materials are non-toxic and can be used within the recommended temperature range. However, food-grade materials aren't necessarily food-safe.
What makes food safe? ›
Following four simple steps at home—Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill—can help protect you and your loved ones from food poisoning.
What does food safe label mean? ›
Food grade labels are labels that meet the standards set by government regulators that allow them to be applied directly or indirectly to food and beverage products. Direct labels are those applied on to food surfaces, such as those applied to the skin of apples and other fruits and vegetables.
What do you mean by food grading? ›
Food grading involves the inspection, assessment and sorting of various foods regarding quality, freshness, legal conformity and market value. Food grading is often done by hand, in which foods are assessed and sorted. Machinery is also used to grade foods, and may involve sorting products by size, shape and quality.
What does 100% food grade mean? ›
The Definition of “Food Grade”
The term, “food grade,” refers to the materials used in equipment. To be defined as food grade, materials need to be non-toxic and safe for consumption.
How do you define food grade and non food grade? ›
food grade and non-food grade are labels applied to plastic containers which tell the consumer if there is a possibility for some of the chemicals used in the plastic manufacture to leach into the food contained. For those containers labeled “food grade”, the chemicals will not leach into your food.
What ingredients are classified as food grade? ›
Food Grade Ingredients include fine extracts, natural products and food grade compounds for the manufacture of food, flavor and fragrance. Compounds are available in Food Grade, USP (United States Pharmacopeia), FCC (Food Chemical Codex) NF and EP, BP, JP, bioCERTIFIED Grades.
