At a Glance: Epoxy or epoxy raisins are adhesives used for construction, paint and coating, engineering composites, automotive, electronic, and marine industries. As epoxy is known for its adhesive qualities, it raises the question of whether it is food-safe. The use of epoxy has increased tremendously nowadays in bar tops, table tops, counters, serving trays, cutting boards, drink tumblers, etc. Through this blog, we will discuss the safety of epoxy food and details related to it.
Epoxy or Epoxy Raisins
Epoxy is the chemical combination of two liquid components that results in a completely fresh new substance after curing. According to Wikipedia, epoxy is the final product of epoxy raisin after curing or is any of the basic components of epoxy raisin. It is another name for the epoxide functional group. Epoxy raisins, also known as polyepoxides, are a class of polymers and reactive polymers that include the epoxide groups.
A reaction occurs between the epoxy raisins and themselves or with many co-reactants through catalytic homopolymerization known as curing. The wide range of co-reactants which are also known as hardeners or curatives consists of polyfunctional amines, acids, acid anhydrides, and mercaptans such as alcohols, thiols, and phenols.
It is impossible for anyone to knowingly consume these active chemicals but the main question arises whether the food coming in contact with these chemicals is safe to come.
There are two kinds of epoxies :
- Heat-cured epoxies: used in medical devices, missile warning machines, infrared telescopes, and electronic components but cannot be used in construction industries because of its high requirement to cure from heat.
- Two-part epoxies: two components are available and separated which need to be mixed and create a chemical reaction. The resin mixes up with the hardener and results in a cured hardened material.
Some of the properties of epoxy resin are :
- Cost-effective and sustainable
- Solvent and chemical-resistant
- Effective electrical insulation
- Strong adhesion
- Low shrinkage
- High strength
- Flexible
- Existence in opaque or transparent kinds.
Use of Epoxy Resin
It has a wide range of usage in heavy industries because of its strong adhesive quality, durability, physical qualities, and chemical resistance.
- Epoxy paints: epoxy paint used for household materials such as dryers, washers, and stoves are known as powder coating.
- Adhesive applications: its strong adhesive properties allow the maintenance of things structurally and also maintain engineering.
- Flooring purposes: eco-friendly and the best option to use in decorative flooring option.
- Repair and maintenance: delicate things like ceramic, china glass, and glass can be repaired by epoxy resin because of it high adhesive properties.
- Epoxy coating and sealant: items like metal containers, acidic food, and paint cans need coating before using them for which epoxy coating is the best option to go as it hardens as soon as you apply it to the surface.
Use of food-safe epoxy
Epoxy resin has many uses and can be applied over metal, glass, or wood to make objects that can be used for storing or serving food. Some of the uses of epoxy resin are :
- Inserting food in epoxy: after conducting a sample test, you can keep food items in epoxy. Make the food completely dry so that the moisture will not be present to make the food rot in the resin. Food items like cookies can absorb moisture from the resin which is why it is important to seal them before keeping them in the epoxy. Also, another reason to seal the food items such as sprinklers, candy, or cake fondant first is that colors may infare with the food items that contain food coloring.
- Making wooden surfaces safe for food contact: besides making a simple wooden block look exquisite, epoxy also ensures long-term protection. The food-safe epoxy resin which is known as industrial clear is used to make materials for serving or storing food. Apply a final layer of industrial clear if you want to colour the epoxy resin or add any other additive.
- Making metals safe for food contact: if you prepare and use the resin following the directions on the label and giving time to cure completely, metals with industrial care are safe for food contact. The adhesion of industrial clear gives the metal a strong and waterproof seal that makes cleaning easy. the adhesion of industrial clear allows a good bonding with the metal. While putting epoxy resin, double-check that the surface of the metal is grease and dust-free.
Is epoxy food safe?
The recognition of food-safe epoxy is attained when the raw materials used to manufacture the chemical as well as the cured epoxy are not harmful. In order to receive the label of food-safe epoxy, manufacturers need to pass through an extensive and expensive testing process with the FDA. According to the FDA, certain epoxy complies with the safety protocol and is safe when food comes in contact with epoxy directly or indirectly, and is also safe enough for sealing food containers, appliances, and utensils. Epoxy is generally safe when properly mixed and cured as it gets transformed into an inert plastic. The safety guaranteed by the use of epoxy while dealing with food depends on the different epoxy resin brands available in the market.
It is important to Give enough time for the product to cure completely, till then keep foods and beverages away when the product is in its pre-cured, liquid form.
Also Read: Food Chemical Trends and Concerns of 2024 Shaping the Future of Food and Beverage Industry
Is Epoxy Resin Food Safe?
Many brands use diluents which are solvents and are nonreactive such as benzyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol can have a negative impact on health if it drains out after curing. Thus, to ensure safety while dealing with food-related industries, harmful ingredients used in manufacturing epoxy resins should be avoided. However, epoxy resins for certain industries are said to be food-safe once it is cured. Food safety can be hampered if certain factors are not taken into consideration such as :
- Undermixing or not mixing properly with incorrect measurement: in order to enable the chemicals to bond and cure properly, it is important to mix the components in an appropriate ratio. Thus, follow the instructions of the manufacturer to avoid mistakes.
- Adding additives or colorants: it is doubtless that additives and colorants make the food or product look exceptional but we should also keep in mind to check that the colorant and the additives are nontoxic and align with the food safety regulations. For better safety, add another coating of clear epoxy resin on the top.
- Putting the product on the market without curing it properly: give time to the product to cure properly and completely which will ensure that there are no active harmful chemicals in the resin. Putting the product out on the market without properly curing will put the consumers and the brand at risk.
Precautions While Working with Epoxy or Epoxy Resins
- Wear clothes with long-sleeve
- Wear nitrile gloves which are disposable
- Do not consume foods and beverages while handling epoxy resins
- Wear a safety mask while sanding the dust while sanding cured epoxy resins
- If any accidental spills or drips, clean them immediately
- Replace acetone, alcohol, or vinegar with an exfoliant cleanser to wipe any epoxy resin from the skin.
- Wash the tools in hot soapy water after cleaning them with alcohol to remove the last remains of epoxy resins.
- Avoid disposing of hardener or liquid epoxy resin down the drain
- Follow the food safety protocols and do not use non-food safety epoxy resin to make surfaces that will come in contact with food
- Ask for the safety data sheet from the manufacturer to learn about the chemicals that are used in the hardener or the epoxy resin that you use.
Conclusion
The use of epoxy resin can make food and beverages look exceptional and tempting but not all brands provide epoxy resins that are safe when it comes in contact with foods. Food-safe epoxy resin is prepared with the intention of serving food on surfaces such as tabletop, plates or tableware, candy dishes, coasters, charcuterie boards, serving trays, fruit bowls, epoxy resin tables, drinkware, and countertops.
Partner with Elchemy to understand the nitty-gitties of epoxy resin. We are transparent about the composition of the epoxy resin as we manufacture every product following the safety protocols mentioned by the FDA. Elchemy is a trusted source as our epoxy resins are food-safe and are inspected by independent labs.
