I am not 100% sure I have heard that some tubing is coated with a preservative type chemical to prevent dry rot. I use clear plastic hose either from a fish store or a place that supplies fountain and pond makers. I figure if it’s safe for fish and plants and not treated it’s safe for bees and honey. This probably does not satisfy food handling laws in the US if you are in business. Here in Germany it is easy to find materials geared toward doing just about anything “bio” or “natural”.
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Figure 1: Food-grade PVC hose
Food-grade hoses play a vital role in ensuring the safety and quality of food and beverages produced. Organizations such as HACCP, FDA, CDC, and SHIPSAN enforce regulations to prevent product contamination. Food-grade hoses are made from flexible materials like polyurethane, PVC, and thermoplastic rubber. Each material has advantages and disadvantages, making it essential to choose the proper hose for each application, including the transportation of highly fragrant products. This article discusses the main features, materials, certifications, and applications of food-grade hoses.
Food safe hoses enable the safe and hygienic transfer of liquid and dry bulk food materials. These hoses protect food products from external contaminants during the transfer. Because these hoses come into contact with food products, it is crucial to use the appropriate hose material to prevent any contamination of foreign substances into the food products. Therefore, the hose must adhere to specific standards to avoid deterioration that could potentially impact the quality, aroma, purity, or taste of the food products flowing through them. While they may look like other types of hoses, food processing hoses differ from them in the following ways:
Figure 2: Food-grade hoses find extensive use in milk production.
Food-grade hoses should comply with various standards, regulations, and certifications.
ISO sets the requirements for food safety management. It illustrates what an organization needs to do to control food safety hazards to ensure food is safe for consumption. Any organization can use it regardless of its position or size in the food chain. Although this certification is not explicitly intended for hoses, it does cover the broader area of specifications closely involved. Companies and their processes can be audited, certified, and registered in compliance with ISO by 3rd parties. For example, in Germany, the Control Union Certifications are accredited for FSSC . FSSC ensures a company adheres to ISO / requirements and provides a certification scheme for food safety and quality management systems.
(EC) / - EU is a European regulation that governs materials and objects, including plastic, rubber, metal, and silicone hoses, intended for contact with food and beverages.
In the United States, the FDA, or Food and Drug Administration, has several regulations that deal with plastics, rubbers, and metals that come in contact with food and beverages. One of these regulations is CFR177.. This regulation deals with rubber and rubber-like compounds and whether or not they are suitable for food-grade components.
Food-grade hoses are made from flexible materials, such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and thermoplastic rubber. Additionally, they have an internal spiral wire made from stainless steel that provides strength and durability to the overall assembly.
Thermoplastic hoses are made from flexible plastic polymer materials tolerant to heat and chemicals. These hoses are suitable for transferring and processing various liquid food products, juices, beer, wine, water, pastes, and syrups. The primary materials under this category are polyurethane, PVC, and PTFE.
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The durability of rubber food-grade hoses makes them excellent for demanding, heavy-duty food transfer applications. Like thermoplastic hoses, rubber hoses are designed to handle the suction and discharge of various liquid food products and edible grains. The most common rubbers used are NBR and EPDM.
Stainless steel is an excellent alternative for applications that do not require flexible hosing. Stainless steel is easy to clean and widely used in the food and beverage tube industries. Typically, the material meets and exceeds the requirements of food and beverage safety standards.
Figure 3: Stainless steel piping used in beverage and food-processing facilities.
A good quality food-grade hose will not merely transport food, but it will preserve its integrity and quality during the process. When selecting food-grade hoses for a particular application, there are several factors to consider to ensure that the hose is safe, effective, and compliant with regulatory requirements.
Food-grade hoses are utilized in any situation where food or drink must be moved from one location to another. They can be found not only in food processing facilities but also in other settings such as pubs, restaurants, and breweries. Additionally, food hoses are used in the pharmaceutical industry due to their capacity to transfer substances without affecting their aroma or taste. Table 1 shows standard food-grade material hoses, temperature range, and typical applications.
Table 1: Standard food-grade material hoses, temperature range, and typical applications
Material Application Temperature range PVC Ideal for applications where pressure and temperature are limited, such as drinking water, soft drinks, and various raw materials. PVC hoses are transparent, lightweight, and flexible. -20 &#;C - 60 &#;C (-4 &#;F - 140 &#;F) PTFE PTFE hoses are ideal where temperature, pressure, or movement are high&#;used for filters and centrifuges, fragrances, and flavorings. PTFE has excellent chemical resistance and is typically easy to clean. -70 &#;C - 260 &#;C (-94 &#;F - 500 &#;F) Polyurethane Hoses made of polyurethane are used with dry and abrasive foods. Polyurethane is resistant to fatty foods and is suitable for dry ingredients such as spices and milk powders. -40 &#;C - 90 &#;C (-40 &#;F - 194 &#;F) NBR For applications needing oil and greaseproof material. Among other applications, NBR hoses are used with dairy products, oils, mayonnaise, and soft drinks. -30 &#;C - 100 &#;C (-22 &#;F - 212 &#;F) EPDM EPDM hoses are commonly used for drinks and juices. Beverages such as beer, soft drinks, and wine are also used with EPDM hoses, which can also be used for high-alcohol beverages. -70 &#;C - 260 &#;C(-94 &#;F - 500 &#;F) Stainless steel Used almost exclusively for applications with high temperatures. Typically expensive to use but offers unmatched reliability, is easy to clean, and can be used for nearly all products. -100 &#;C - 300 &#;C (-148 &#;F - 572&#;F)A hose is considered 'food grade' if it meets certain criteria and standards that make it safe for food processing and handling applications.
Yes, but ensure the tubing is labeled as 'NSF-61' or 'NSF-PW' certified. This means that it has been tested and approved for use in potable water applications by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
A food-grade water hose is designed for use in food and beverage applications where the hose will come into contact with potable water. They are typically constructed of materials like PVC, polyurethane, or rubber approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA.
Vinyl tubing can be suitable for some food and beverage applications, but not all vinyl tubing is rated for use with food and potable water.
The FDA provides guidelines for food contact materials, including plastics. Some plastic types that are commonly used for food packaging and have received FDA clearance include Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonate (PC), and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)
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