Food contact resin

In today's catering and food industry, more and more emphasis is placed on the use of materials that are not only durable, but above all safe for health. One of such materials is a resin for contact with food , which meets sanitary requirements and is characterized by exceptional durability and aesthetics.

What is food contact resin?

Food contact resin is a specialized coating material that has been designed to be safe for use in a food environment. These types of resins are used as protective coatings on floors and walls in the food industry and health care facilities such as hospitals and clinics.

Why is this resin safe?

The safety of resins for food contact results from: 

• Chemical composition - they are made of neutral materials that do not react with food and do not emit harmful substances.
• Resistance to substances - it does not absorb odors or flavors, which is crucial in gastronomy.
• Easy cleaning – thanks to even coatings created, among others, by: by epoxy resins for contact with food, it is possible to keep the coating in the required cleanliness. Thanks to this, there is no risk of creating a microbiologically active environment.

What are the sanitary requirements for food resin?

Resins approved for contact with food must meet stringent standards:

• No migration of chemical compounds into food.
• Resistance to high temperatures and moisture.
• Easy to keep clean - they must be resistant to detergents used in the catering industry. 
• Smooth, non-porous surface that prevents bacteria from multiplying.

What types of resins are safe for food contact?

There are several types of resins that can be used in the catering and medical environments. The choice of the appropriate type depends on the specific application and operating conditions.

Epoxy resin for contact with food

Epoxy resin is one of the most frequently chosen materials. It is durable, resistant to mechanical and chemical damage and has insulating properties. In order for it to be used for contact with food, it must be properly certified. Products based on epoxy resin, which is approved for contact with food, often work well as a protective coating on floors and walls. Thanks to this, it is a comprehensive protection of rooms to fully ensure the comfort of use and the safety of prepared food or medicines.

Use of food-safe resin

Resins safe for contact with food are used in many areas such as kitchens, canteens and other catering facilities. However, it sometimes happens that design assumptions require the use of a resin approved for contact with food in other places, e.g. hospitals or other medical facilities. Epoxy resin intended for contact with food will work wherever it is necessary to easily keep the surface clean while permanently protecting the floor or walls.

What to remember when using resin?

1. Maintaining hygiene - surfaces made of e.g. epoxy resin for food contact should be regularly washed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. This will not only ensure the appropriate cleanliness class of resin surfaces, but will also significantly extend the life of the entire coating.
2. Avoiding mechanical damage that may affect the integrity of the coating. It is worth reading all the comments and recommendations of the resin manufacturer, what should be avoided during the application process and subsequent use. This will allow you to maintain all the necessary properties of the resin coating approved for food contact for as long as possible and will translate into less frequent repairs.
3. Temperature adaptation – epoxy resins in contact with food have temperature limits within which they can work freely and fulfill their function. However, exposing them to lower or higher than permissible temperature ranges may damage the resin coating.

How to choose a resin for contact with food?

The selection of the appropriate resin should be preceded by verification of several parameters, such as: 

• Certificates – check whether the selected resin is certified for contact with food. In Poland, such certificates are issued by the National Institute of Hygiene and define the scope of use of such a product.
• Durability – it is worth paying attention to such parameters of the epoxy resin as compression resistance, adhesion strength, scratch resistance and Shore hardness. Verification of these parameters will allow you to decide whether the epoxy resin that is to come into contact with food will have adequate durability and will be able to serve for years.
• Aesthetics – one of the criteria that is taken into account when choosing the right resin is the appearance of the final surface. Not every product can be colored or create a perfectly smooth surface with the so-called mirror effect, therefore it is worth checking it at the stage of selecting resin products for subsequent contact with food at the destination.
• Conditions of use – these are one of the key parameters that should be taken into account when choosing resin products. Each product operates, for example, in a different temperature range, has different chemical resistance or abrasion resistance. Checking this at the very beginning will allow you to choose the right resin-based product.

How to care for resin surfaces?

To maintain the properties of the resin, you must take proper care of it:

• Use mild cleaning agents within the pH range recommended by the manufacturer. This will allow the coating to retain its properties for years while maintaining full aesthetics, both in terms of color and scratches. 
• Sharp tools such as wire brushes should be avoided, as they can scratch and damage the resin coating on both the wall and floor. Manufacturers most often recommend mops with soft bristles and delicate cloths. Of course, all necessary information regarding the maintenance and use of the resin should be included in the manufacturer's technical data sheet for each product. 
• Regularly check the condition of the coating - if cracks or other serious damage appear, it is worth considering renovating the coating. Any damage to the top layer of the resin coating may affect its strength parameters. Of course, this also makes it more difficult to keep the resin surface clean and its aesthetics.