Here's Why Food Safe Epoxy is Perfect for Kitchens
Giving a whole new refresh to the kitchen countertops and still making them food safe can be daunting, especially if you don’t want to break the bank. But have you ever considered epoxy countertops?
Food Safe Epoxy has many uses in all kitchens, and they are cheap creative ways to update the style of the cooking spaces. Primarily used as a refinishing product, epoxy is basically a coating that can help restore or revitalize worn, old, even out-of-style kitchen countertops, bathroom ones, or floors. The epoxy resin is resistant to scratches and provides years of use.
Now, with all its popularity growing, it is fair for people to start asking if epoxy is also safe. It is crystal clear that epoxy enhances the design of a room, but can you put the food on it without worrying about chemicals and bacteria? Well, today we will answer all of your questions, and clarify the concept of “food-safe Epoxy”.
Why is Food Safe Epoxy Essential for Kitchens?
All the food and beverage environments, like walls and flooring, will require hard-wearing, chemical resistant, abrasive and easy-to-clean countertop coatings. Furthermore, as a general rule to follow, the more seamless the countertop, the better.
The exposure to epoxy’s main compounds has been studied for a very long time and I will try to make it easier for you to understand all these findings. It is important to mention Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bisphenol F (BPF). So far, it has been proven that only the low levels of BPA are considered all safe for intake. Aside from this one, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) represent a safe key compound on epoxy resin food safety.
Food Safe Epoxy is beneficial for kitchen safety as you will see, down below, some criteria that make this countertop all harmless.
Why Kitchens Require a Special Epoxy
Epoxies are plastics, after all, and as so many of you have read daily statements, there is always a new story on how bad it is to let your food contact plastic.
However, countertop epoxy resin companies will manufacture their products in different ways. As such, not all the epoxy resins can be stated automatically deemed safe, but only after checking all their ingredients.
Although a generalized statement, you should still know that not all epoxies are made equally. As such, it is important to research the brand you are going to choose, as well as the chemicals they use.
As always it’s important to follow the manufactures instructions. Each brand has formulated their High-heat Epoxy to withstand their own standard temperature.
For all the epoxies that claim to be all food safe, it is mandatory that you understand that yes, they can be food-safe, only if cured properly.
As many of you know, epoxy countertops are a bit of art, so make sure it is appropriately and accurately created, as even the most experienced users can face curing issues from time to time.
Not all epoxies are equal for kitchens, as the last ones must be considered food-safe, therefore you need to choose wisely.
What are the FDA Approved Resinous and Polymeric Coatings?
The most commonly used types of FDA approved coatings are among the resinous and polymeric coatings groups. As you might know, the polymeric coatings can be put on metals, ceramics, and other materials that are all synthetic.
These coatings are special, as they can resist high temperatures. This is somewhere around five hundred and thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit.
Moreover, the FDA approved resinous and polymeric coatings are durable and won’t break when interacting with moisture, salt, or any other chemicals. As we have mentioned before, there are lots of types of epoxy on the market, so before using them as coatings or adhesives, make sure to check if they are FDA-approved.
Here are some criteria needed to be checked by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
- Non-toxicity;
- Composition of the coating;
- Bacterial resistance;
- Durability;
- Impervious;
- Chemical resistance.
Make sure the polymeric coatings are not only aesthetically pleasing but also effective as food-safe counterparts. These items are not only aesthetically pleasing but also food-safe counterparts.
In this matter, doing detailed research before purchasing any epoxy resin to use on the kitchen’s surfaces is mandatory. Also, have a brand you trust for it.
What to look for in Food Safe Epoxy?
Here are some criteria to make sure you will choose food safe epoxy.
Is epoxy FDA approved?
Understand that not all epoxies are FDA approved or safe to use in the kitchen. Even when you are 100% sure that the FDA approval is authentic, we recommend you to use the epoxy exactly as instructed.
In order to ensure the safety of the epoxy countertops, epoxy resin products will be tested by the US Food and Drug Administration. What this process implies is the test of the ingredients used in this product, as well as how each chemical tends to react to each other and then curing.
The procedure will test all the ingredients that were used so far, and how each chemical reacts to each other. As long as the epoxy is FDA approved, it will be food safe.
High Heat Resistance
High-Temperature Epoxy definitely has more heat resistant, but not heatproof. Once the epoxy resin is cured, the epoxy products are considered non-toxic and are food-safe for countertops.
Direct Heat
: you can set a hot dish on the surface of the epoxy countertop, without instantly ruining this surface. However, keep in mind that as long as you leave a hot baking dish, even a hot coffee on a layer of epoxy, you will eventually damage the surface.Indirect Heat
: the highest temperature or the peak resistance after 100% curing. Just to make sure, it’s smarter to use some trivets for hot pots in order to protect the epoxy countertops.
Chemical Resistance
Cleaning agents
When it comes to cleaning agents, epoxy countertops should be cleaned with most of the non-abrasive household cleaners.
You can mix them with some mild dish soap and water, as this formula will do the trick for many of the epoxy resin countertops. For a good monthly cleaning, you can use mineral oils.
Acidic Foods
Epoxy countertops, when cured, are food safe. As long as they are in compliance with the FDA’s regulations, they are resistant to acidic foods as well.
Antibacterial growth
With this rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, many of the kitchen facilities now require all the hard surfaces, like coatings and flooring, to support mold-fighting efforts and germs.
Today’s antimicrobial epoxy countertops and other resinous coatings are powerful enough to meet daily challenges. Therefore, the FDA approved one are formulated to prevent bacteria growth, stay strong and do not fade.
Most epoxy products are considered non-toxic and food-safe.
List of Industries that Require FDA approved Epoxy
Food grade epoxy is more resistant to yellowing, it has high-gloss shine, and will protect the surfaces for many years to come. But despite all these, epoxy ensures a food-safe countertop coating. Here are some of the industries that require FDA approved Epoxy:
– Processing facilities;
– Commercial Kitchens;
– Food preparation facilities;
– Distribution Facilities;
– Restaurants;
– Bars;
– Concession Areas;
– Walk-in Coolers;
– Home Kitchens.
Last Thoughts
Being selective with the kitchen countertops is natural. People want to make sure the cooking space is all food-safe and still looks beautifully designed.
As long as you buy it from a trustful source, food-grade Epoxy countertops are safe to use on any surfaces that will be into contact with the food you are processing. Moreover, they will protect the surface and provide lots of years to use before the top dulls.
Of course, if you have never used the epoxy material ever before, you should ask for professional help.
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Ronald Wesley
CEO MOY FLoorFX
Hello I’m Ron, CEO of MOY FloorFx, South Central Pennsylvania’s Epoxy Distribution and Training School. I’m here to support you by getting you the right product and instruction for your floor coating business.