Food-grade silicone rubber tubing has several desirable qualities that make it suitable for use in the food and beverage industries. The chemical properties of silicone rubber include robust construction, a non-stick surface, and superb temperature flexibility. This versatile rubber tubing is used in commercial breweries, soft drink manufacturers, and the vending industry.
In this guide, we will explore the Top 7 industries that rely on FDA food-grade silicone tubing and how it contributes to safe and effective operations in each sector.
Table of Contents
What is Food Grade Silicone Tubing?
Food-grade silicone tubing is a high-quality, non-toxic, and flexible tubing made from FDA-compliant silicone rubber, used in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical applications. It is odorless, tasteless, and resistant to extreme temperatures, making it ideal for hygienic fluid transfer.
Unlike regular silicone tubing, food-grade variants meet strict safety and regulatory standards and do not leach harmful substances. Known for its durability and clarity, it is widely used in industries where purity, compliance, and performance are critical, providing a safe and reliable solution for both commercial and domestic use.
Read More– FDA Food Grade Silicone Tubing: A Comprehensive Guide
Top 7 Industrial Applications of Food Grade Silicone Tubing
1. Food and Beverage Industry Applications
FDA-approved silicone tubing is widely used in the food and beverage industry to transfer liquids, syrups, and beverages in food processing plants, breweries, and wineries. Its non-reactive properties ensure that it does not alter the taste or quality of the liquids being processed. Additionally, food-safe tubing is highly durable and can handle both hot and cold liquids, thanks to its excellent heat resistance.
The tubing’s flexibility allows it to integrate easily into various systems, making it perfect for transferring beverages, hot liquids, or syrups. Paired with FDA-approved seals and detectable gaskets, it ensures safe operations and meets high safety standards. Using FDA silicone tubing helps maintain the hygiene and quality of the products being processed.
Benefits of Food and Beverage Silicone Tubing
- Non-reactive: Maintains the taste and quality of liquids without contamination.
- Durability: Handles both hot and cold liquids, offering long-lasting performance.
- Flexibility: Easily adapts to various system configurations for efficient liquid transfer.
- Safety: Paired with FDA-approved seals and detectable gaskets for enhanced safety.
- Hygiene: Ensures clean and safe processing environments.
2. Dairy Industry
Food-grade silicone tubing is important in the dairy industry, where it is used to transfer milk and other dairy products during production. This tubing’s hygienic properties help maintain a clean and sanitary environment, preventing contamination during the transfer process. Its non-toxic nature, made from FDA-approved silicone rubber, ensures that dairy products remain safe for consumption, with no harmful substances introduced.
Additionally, FDA-compliant silicone tubing is durable and resistant to frequent cleaning, a crucial feature for maintaining high hygiene standards. In many cases, FDA-compliant metal-detectable silicone and metal-detectable rubber components are used to ensure that all parts of the system are traceable and safe during processing, further protecting against contamination in safe dairy processing.
Benefits of Dairy Silicone Tubing
- Hygienic properties: Prevents contamination during the transfer of milk and dairy products.
- Non-toxic material: Safe for food contact, free from harmful chemicals.
- Durability: It withstands frequent cleaning and sterilization.
- Metal detection: The Use of metal detectable rubber ensures system safety and compliance.
3. Pharmaceutical Industry
FDA food-grade silicone tubing is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry to safely handle liquids, gels, and medications. Its chemical resistance and non-toxic properties make it ideal for transferring sensitive pharmaceutical products without risk of contamination. This tubing meets the strict safety standards required for pharmaceutical applications.
In pharmaceutical manufacturing, FDA-approved rubber materials are often used in conjunction with FDA-approved gaskets and seals to ensure the entire system complies with safety regulations. The use of food-safe tubing further guarantees that all materials are traceable and safe for use in these highly sensitive environments.
Benefits of Pharmaceutical Silicone Tubing
- Chemical resistance: Safe for transferring a wide range of liquids and chemicals.
- Non-toxic: Ensures safe handling of medicines and sensitive pharmaceutical products.
- FDA compliance: Works seamlessly with FDA-approved gaskets, seals, and rubber materials for full system safety.
- Traceability: Metal detectable rubber seals ensure safety and traceability within pharmaceutical production systems.
4. Cosmetic Industry
FDA-approved silicone tubing is widely used in the cosmetic industry to produce and transfer products like lotions, creams, and gels. Its non-reactive nature ensures that it doesn’t interact with the ingredients, keeping the formulations safe and unchanged. Also, the tubing maintains a high level of cleanliness, which is critical for preserving the purity of cosmetic products.
Cosmetic silicone tubing is known for its flexibility, making it ideal for transferring thick, viscous liquids, such as creams and gels. Often, FDA-approved seals and detectable gaskets are used in conjunction with the tubing to ensure full safety and compliance with industry standards. For larger applications, rolls of silicone can be customized to meet specific production needs. Made from FDA-compliant silicone, this tubing meets all necessary regulations for safe contact with cosmetic ingredients, ensuring that the entire process adheres to strict safety guidelines.
Benefits of Cosmetic Silicone Tubing
- Non-reactivity: Ensures cosmetic ingredients remain unchanged and safe during transfer.
- Cleanliness: Maintains product purity in the production process.
- Flexibility: Efficiently handles the transfer of thick, viscous liquids, such as lotions and gels.
- FDA compliance: Made from FDA-approved rubber materials to ensure safe production.
- Customization: Available in rolls of silicone for large-scale cosmetic production needs.
5. Medical Device Industry
Silicone tubing plays a crucial role in the medical device industry, as it is used to transfer fluids and integrate them with various medical equipment. One of its most important features is its sterility, which ensures safe use in sensitive medical applications without contamination. Additionally, FDA-approved seals are often used alongside the tubing to enhance safety and compliance in medical devices further.
The biocompatibility of food-safe tubing makes it suitable for direct contact with bodily fluids and tissues, ensuring reliable performance in healthcare settings. Its flexibility allows it to be used in various medical applications, from fluid transfer systems to complex medical instruments. These properties make silicone tubing indispensable in the medical device industry.
Benefits of Medical Silicone Tubing
- Sterility: Ensures contamination-free use in medical environments.
- Biocompatibility: Safe for contact with bodily fluids and tissues.
- Flexibility: Adapts easily to different medical devices and fluid transfer systems.
- FDA compliance: Works with FDA-approved gaskets and FDA-approved seals to ensure full safety in medical devices.
6. Chemical and Laboratory Industry
FDA silicone tubing is essential in the chemical and laboratory industry for safely transferring reactive liquids and chemicals. Its strong chemical resistance ensures that the tubing doesn’t degrade or contaminate the substances being handled. Using food-safe tubing is important for maintaining safety in laboratory settings.
FDA-approved seals and detectable gaskets are often paired with the tubing to enhance safety and compliance. For larger setups, rolls of silicone can be used to meet specific operational needs, while FDA-approved rubber materials add an extra layer of safety and traceability in harsh conditions.
Benefits of Chemical Silicone Tubing
- Safety: Works with FDA-approved seals for regulatory compliance.
- Chemical resistance: Handles reactive chemicals safely.
- Durability: Withstands harsh chemical environments.
7. Automotive Industry
Food-grade silicone tubing is widely used in specialized automotive applications, such as fluid transfer and coolant systems. Its high heat resistance makes it ideal for handling fluids in environments with extreme temperature changes, such as engine compartments. The tubing’s flexibility allows it to fit into tight spaces and around complex engine components, ensuring smooth and efficient fluid movement.
In addition, its strong chemical resistance ensures the tubing remains unaffected by exposure to oils, fuels, and other automotive fluids. This durability makes it a preferred choice for long-term performance in challenging automotive conditions. The use of FDA-approved rubber materials and detectable gaskets in certain automotive systems further enhances the tubing’s reliability and safety.
What are the Benefits of Using Food Grade Silicone Tubing?
Here are the main reasons why FDA-compliant silicone is a top choice for food and beverage applications:
- Made from FDA-approved silicone rubber – safe for food and beverage use
- High-temperature tolerance – performs well in hot or cold environments
- Non-reactive with food or chemicals – keeps contents pure and uncontaminated
- Long-lasting and durable – resists wear, tear, and frequent use
- Flexible and easy to install – fits easily into tight spaces or custom setups
- Easy to clean and sterilize – ideal for hygienic environments
- Suitable for food contact seal gaskets, food grade (FDA) gaskets, and food quality rubber applications
- Compliant with FDA silicone standards for safety and reliability
Read More- Top Advantages of Platinum Cured Silicone Tubing
Why Are Safety and FDA Compliance Important When Using Food Grade Silicone Tubing?
In the food and pharmaceutical industries, safety and compliance with regulations are essential. Using FDA-approved silicone for tubing and other components ensures that the material is safe, hygienic, and suitable for direct contact with food or other consumables.
Look for products that meet standards like FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 compliant seals, which verify the silicone is safe for repeated use in food applications. Choosing FDA-certified materials helps minimize health risks and supports long-term product integrity. Ensuring FDA compliance also protects businesses by meeting legal requirements and maintaining high-quality standards in sensitive environments.
How Does Food Grade Silicone Compare to Other Tubing Materials?
A quick look at the key differences in safety, performance, and cost across common tubing options.
| Feature | Food Grade Silicone | PVC Tubing | Rubber Tubing | Stainless Steel Tubing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDA Approved | Yes | Partial/No | Partial/No | Yes |
| Temperature Resistance | Excellent (-60°C to 200°C) | Moderate | Moderate | Excellent |
| Flexibility | Very High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Chemical Resistance | High | Low to Medium | Medium | High |
| Odor/Taste Neutral | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Transparency for Flow Monitoring | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Cost | Medium | Low | Low | High |
What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing Silicone Tubing?
Choosing the right silicone rubber tube is essential for performance, safety, and compliance, especially in food, beverage, or industrial settings. From dimensions to certifications, several factors can influence your selection.
- Custom needs – Many silicone hose suppliers offer custom solutions for manufacturers to meet specific application requirements
- Size and wall thickness – Impacts durability, flow rate, and pressure handling
- Temperature and pressure requirements – Ensure the tubing can withstand your operating environment
- Clarity or opacity – Clear tube silicone is useful for visual monitoring of flow
- Certifications – Look for materials with FDA-approved O-rings and food-safe ratings
What Should You Know About Elastostar Rubber Corp?
Elastostar Rubber Corporation is a leading manufacturer and supplier of silicone rubber gaskets, as well as standard and custom-sized silicone rubber tubing and hoses, for the brewery industry. Our products are known for being both durable and affordable. We offer silicone rubber tubing with very low bursting pressure, making it an ideal choice for brewery gaskets, seals, tubing, and hoses.
Here are the Major Benefits you will get with Elastostar
- FDA Approved
- Translucent
- Cost-Effective
- High Tear Quality
- Prevent Contamination
- Flexible on High to Low Temperature.
Elastostar Rubber Corporation is an industry leader in silicone manufacturing. Our goal is to help our customers achieve sustained profitable growth as problem solvers and providers of high-quality products and services.
For more use and application, please contact us with your details, email us at info@elastostar.com, or call us at 614-841-4400. We will help you to explore more ways to utilize our products for your special purpose.
Recommended Reads
- Uses For Food Grade Silicone Rubber Tubing/Hose
- Know About Usage Of Food Grade Silicone Tubing
- Why Medical Industry Preferred Silicone Tubing?
Conclusion
FDA food-grade silicone tubing is widely used across various industries, including food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, due to its safety, flexibility, and durability. It effectively handles extreme temperatures and chemicals, making it ideal for fluid transfer in various environments.
Paired with FDA-approved seals and detectable gaskets, it ensures compliance and safety in sensitive applications. Elastostar Rubber Corporation offers premium FDA-compliant silicone tubing for high-quality, reliable solutions, helping industries maintain hygiene and performance in their processes.
FAQs
What is food-grade silicone used for?
Food-grade silicone is used to make products such as food-safe tubing, seals, and gaskets for food processing, handling, and storage. It’s non-toxic, heat-resistant, and safe for direct food contact. Elastostar Rubber Corporation provides high-quality FDA-approved silicone products that meet strict safety standards for these applications.
What is silicone tubing used for?
FDA-approved silicone tubing is used for transferring liquids in industries such as food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Its flexibility, heat resistance, and non-reactive properties make it perfect for handling sensitive or high-temperature fluids safely.
What type of rubber is used in the food industry?
FDA-approved silicone rubber is widely used in the food industry due to its non-toxic, heat-resistant, and durable qualities. It is ideal for making food-grade silicone tubing and gaskets for safe food handling.
Where to use food-grade silicone?
Food-grade silicone is commonly used in food production, beverage manufacturing, pharmaceutical applications, and kitchenware. Its heat resistance and FDA-approved safety make it ideal for direct food contact. Elastostar Rubber Corporation offers a wide range of food-grade silicone solutions tailored for safe and efficient use in these industries.
Is food-grade silicone safe for boiling water?
Yes, food-grade silicone is safe for boiling water as it can handle high temperatures without breaking down or releasing harmful chemicals.
What is the difference between food-grade silicone and regular silicone?
Food-grade silicone is made from FDA-approved silicone and is safe for contact with food, whereas regular silicone may not meet these safety standards.
