FDA approved rubber is specially formulated silicone to meet the requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulatory authority in the United States, many have adopted the standards set forth by them and follow these standards in their own countries. The FDA code regarding the use of FDA approved rubber states that: “Rubber articles intended for repeated use may be safely used in producing, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, packaging, transporting, or holding food, subject to the provisions of this section.” The latter was taken from the FDA site Code of Federal Regulation Title 21 (FDA 21 CFR 177.2600).
Silicone – Premium FDA Grade White – 60A – 1/4″ x 36″
FDA silicone rubber, or simply FDA rubber, is compliant with Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 (FDA 21 CFR 177.2600) an FDA regulation that covers materials for use with consumables such as food and beverages. However, food-safe silicone can also be found in use in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. It should be noted that FDA approved rubber should not be confused with commercial grade or medical and pharmaceutical grade rubbers that are respectively made to less or more stringent specifications.
Any FDA rubber must be compliant to official regulations and certified for use with and during food production. Many compounds are certified for this including Neoprene, Nitrile, and EPDM. Silicone, however, is the most commonly used compound because of its good resistance to a variety of chemicals and temperature extremes. Silicone can normally handle temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This signature feature of FDA silicone rubber is especially recommended since foods, while cooking, see elevated temperatures. It does not degrade or boil in such conditions. At the same time, some foods are stored and packaged in very low temperatures that may go below freezing. Food-safe silicone is well suited for cold situations because it can survive in temperatures that reach below -100 degrees Fahrenheit. The body material of the silicone FDA approved rubber will not crack or become brittle in the face of extreme cold.
Silicone – Premium FDA Grade White – 60A – 1/4″ x 36″
- Non-marking white rubber
- Exhibits a fair degree of flexibility
- Moderately resistant to physical indentation
- Has resistance to certain gases, liquids, and chemicals
- Food grade silicone is ideal for use as seals for food packaging and other FDA approved roles
FDA Approved: The FDA has exacting standards about the types of materials that can come in contact with consumables. This is ultimately for our safety. The materials used to make this food grade rubber have been approved by the FDA. Our rubber sheet silicone conforms to regulation 21 CFR 177.2600, which is an FDA regulation that establishes the standards for rubber articles intended for repeated contact with food. Using food grade silicone is a great way to ensure that foreign substances will not contaminate the food.
Great Temperature Range: Silicone rubber is the go-to elastomer for any tasks that involve extreme temperatures. This white rubber material can function in temperatures between -103° F and 500° F. So whether a silicone food grade gasket is used in below freezing temperatures or at extremely high boiling temperatures, it will retain its structural integrity and prevent damage to food material.
Silicone FDA approved rubber is typically white in color for aesthetic reasons. The color black signifies industrial use while grays and whites are more neutral and are generally preferred for domestic or commercial purposes. A big reason for this is due to the aesthetic considerations of various settings and applications. Sometimes a black colored part can make an item look unappealing or too industrial. White is a neutral color that lends itself well to sensitive food and medicine related applications.
Silicone – Commercial Grade Black – 50A – 1/16″ x 36″
- A hard to find black silicone sheet rubber
- Resistant to fungus and some chemicals
- This black silicone material can resist UV and ozone
- Stocked in popular gauges: 1/32″, 1/16″, 1/8″, and 1/4″
- Flexible silicone sheets are meant for commercial grade applications
Flexible Rubber Sheet: This silicone (50 Durometer) elastomer is well suited for use in applications that require a more flexible material instead of a rigid one. A low durometer rating indicates that the rubber is less resistant to physical indentation, but much more pliable for the purposes of flexibility. Additionally, a lower durometer elastomer is less dense and more pliable that has a high durometer.
High Temperature Material: Silicone rubber is the go-to elastomer for any applications that involve extreme temperatures. This particular black silicone sheet has an operating temperature range of -103 F to 450 F. You can employ this flexible silicone sheet in very cold settings and very hot settings without having to worry about it suffering from immediate damage.
FDA rubber is commonly used in applications that involve the production, packing, processing, preparing, or holding of food, beverages, or consumables to preserve the quality of these products and to prevent them from being contaminated by exposure to foreign elements. FDA silicone rubber does not allow for harmful contaminants to gather on it. As a result, FDA approved rubber is commonly used in the fabrication of gaskets, seals, tubing, conveyor belts, or counter top matting and can be found in commercial kitchens, food processing plants, pharmaceutical processing, and the cosmetics industry. FDA approved rubber is a solid, industrial-grade sheet rubber that can be used in wet or dry applications, and has a smooth surface that makes it very easy to clean. As an added bonus, the food-safe silicone material offers a very good level of abrasion resistance. FDA approved rubber is overall very clean, free from impurities, and has no contaminants so it does not give a taste or odor to consumables that may come in contact with it.
FDA rubber that is certified to Title 21 (FDA 21 CFR 177.2600) must be used in these applications because the risk of product contamination when not using this type of rubber rises significantly. Regular contact with some foods or liquids can lead to the development of acids and chemicals that could affect the quality of food and possibly lead to food poisoning. Since FDA approved rubber is considered non-toxic and is a non-marking material, it is the perfect elastomer to use for food-related applications.
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