What is the definition of food grade in relation to degreasers?
Hello,
The plant manager recently bought a cleaner degreaser for maintenance. I have the SDS, TDS, and NSF registration cert for nonfood compounds. Nowhere does it say "food grade", but it does say "general cleaner (A1) on all surfaces in and around food processing areas, where its use is not intended for direct food contact". I understand what it says, but does it mean its food grade even if you can't use it directly on fc? I have a lot of trouble with the difference in food grade and not.
Thank you!
Hi,
I am not sure how it works in the US but maybe your local health authority or regulatory body will have a list of approved chemicals that could clarify the appropriate uses of that chemical.
Hello,
The plant manager recently bought a cleaner degreaser for maintenance. I have the SDS, TDS, and NSF registration cert for nonfood compounds. Nowhere does it say "food grade", but it does say "general cleaner (A1) on all surfaces in and around food processing areas, where its use is not intended for direct food contact". I understand what it says, but does it mean its food grade even if you can't use it directly on fc? I have a lot of trouble with the difference in food grade and not.
Thank you!
Hi QAKat,
NSF Registration means what it says, eg -
NSF, nonfood compounds.pdf 18.44KB 22 downloads
Does it say it's "Food Grade " - No.
I suggest you refer to FDA's definition of "Food Grade", etc -
https://www.industri...d-safe-meanings
PS - "Food Safe" is perhaps a more appropriate/desirable terminology to categorise cleaning/sanitising chemicals but even this may need further qualification with respect to food contact. IIIRC, NSF do have further Grades to cover such options.
Going by that information from its label, I'd say not food grade. But I think it's fine for use as indicated on its labeling. Your chemical control program should note which cleaners are for food contact and which are not, and access to it should be restricted to ensure your equipment sanitation employees don't use it by mistake.
I'd go the extra step to denote the chemical shouldn't be used on any food processing equipment either (eventually some auditor will have a problem with it being used to clean fc equipment exteriors), but for use by maintenance on non-food equipment and areas, I'd say run with it.
Going by that information from its label, I'd say not food grade. But I think it's fine for use as indicated on its labeling. Your chemical control program should note which cleaners are for food contact and which are not, and access to it should be restricted to ensure your equipment sanitation employees don't use it by mistake.
I'd go the extra step to denote the chemical shouldn't be used on any food processing equipment either (eventually some auditor will have a problem with it being used to clean fc equipment exteriors), but for use by maintenance on non-food equipment and areas, I'd say run with it.
Hi jfrey,
Although unstated, I speculate that NSF's categorization as "NONFOOD" automatically excludes a "Food Grade" attribute.
It certainly does not conform to FDA's definition of "Food Grade". And possibly non-compliant with "Food Safe" (subjective?) also.
As per NSF it could be usable (with various stated caveats) for applications/locations - A1, A4, A8, B1, C1