Full definition
Elastomer materials specifically formulated and approved for direct contact with food, beverages, and pharmaceutical products, meeting stringent regulatory requirements for ingredient safety and extraction limits. Primary regulations: FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 (USA — all ingredients must be FDA-listed, extraction limits in water/ethanol/heptane), EU (EC) 1935/2004 and (EU) 10/2011 (European food contact), BfR (German federal recommendations), and 3-A Sanitary Standards (dairy industry). Approved materials: silicone VMQ (most widely used — non-toxic, odorless, tasteless, -60 to +230°C), white EPDM (water, steam, beverages, dairy — no carbon black), white NBR (edible oils, fats — no carbon black), white FKM (aggressive food chemicals), and white NR (food conveyor belts). Key formulation rules: no carbon black (replaced by silica, TiO₂), no aromatic oils, no staining antioxidants, no heavy metals above limits. Testing: extraction protocols, organoleptic evaluation (taste/odor transfer). Applications: dairy and beverage processing seals, food conveyor belts, bakery equipment gaskets, brewing seals, meat processing gaskets, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. White or light-colored for visual contamination detection.