7 replies to this topic

[matthewcc]

Hello all,

 

Have you ever heard of a Steel-it epoxy paint, and is it compliant and recommended for product-contact surfaces of equipment?  We have a potential equipment supplier that wants to use it.  We would use it for dietary supplement manufacturing, including product-contact, in the United States, and have SQF and NSF GMP certifications.

 

Thank you,

Matthew

[Brothbro]

It's an interesting product...I've never used it but I wouldn't personally use it for food-contact surfaces. Even if it's "stainless steel" it's still paint, and liable to chip or disintegrate over time. It'll just end up in your product. Reviewing the FAQ section of their website, they state they "do not guarantee the longevity of the coating". None of their product reviews seem to be from food manufacturers. 

 

How does the supplier want to use it? To paint over equipment damage or something?

 

EDIT: Some more digging shows their food processing page, where they claim they're USDA compliant for "incidental food contact". So it doesn't sound like a product that should be used where the INTENT is to have direct food contact.

https://steel-it.com...food-processing

Edited by Brothbro, 30 April 2024 - 05:32 PM.

[SQFconsultant]

I am familiar with it.  It is a polyurethane spray or brush on and there is a sealer available as well - it's great for industrial use, automotive, trucks, etc -- but not for food contact.

 

Inspected a food company that used a lot of it --- unfortunately they had to shut-down for three weeks to remove it all - might have been a good idea to get with an SQF Consultant before doing it, but that's something many companies do and then find out the money they thought they saved costs them thousands and lost time.

Edited by SQFconsultant, 30 April 2024 - 05:34 PM.

[jfrey123]

USDA statement from the company shows incidental food contact with emphasis.  So in my mind, not only would an auditor object to seeing a painted food contact surface due to flaking/chipping/etc., but it's also not defendable using provided documentation from the company.  Strong no-go in my mind.

 

USDA Statement of Compliance - STEEL-IT 4907 Epoxy Topcoat (shopify.com)

[matthewcc]

Thanks, what do you think about non-contact surfaces, such as the motor/reducer that sits under the frame outside of the product contact zone and the two shaft bearings that are completely guarded?

[Brothbro]

Thanks, what do you think about non-contact surfaces, such as the motor/reducer that sits under the frame outside of the product contact zone and the two shaft bearings that are completely guarded?

 

To me these uses would be more justifiable given that the risk is indeed incidental food contact. But if these parts are being re-painted because of signs of wear they may be due for a complete replacement rather than a simple paintjob!

[mgourley]

I completely agree with all of the above.

Any type of "paint" or "coating" should never be used for food contact surfaces.

It simply goes against best practice for hygienic design.

 

If you want to use it for non-contact surfaces, i.e. someplace where it is completely away from possibility of flaking off into the product, then that's fine.

 

Marshall

[GMO]

Looking it up it's metal micro flakes within an epoxy / polyurethane resin base.

 

So it's metal dust in glue.  

 

Joking... Not joking...

 

The question should be "is painted stuff ever acceptable in a food factory".  Sadly you can't get some bits of equipment in 316 or 304 Stainless Steel.  So it's a reluctant and qualified yes but ideally only low risk.  Well out of product zone.  Ideally hidden in a cabinet that's well sealed.

But does this have any benefits over other paint?  

 

It may or may not have been raised to a technical person in a low risk food manufacturing facility that they were constantly getting non conformances for damaged old metal mixer frames (away from product zone).  This Technical person may or may not have suggested that they switch the colour of hammerite from white to silver because it wouldn't show the damage.  

 

Look, I *ahem* I mean, this Technical person    is now older, wiser and wouldn't pull those kind of stunts anymore.  But buying something with metal flakes in is just painting with it because it looks like solid metal?  Not ideal.  No better than paint in my opinion.  Although I guess if it flakes it's metal detectable? 

 

(By the way, it may have meant that we, I mean, the site, didn't get that non conformance that year. )

Edited by GMO, 10 May 2024 - 03:18 PM.