Copely has a wide range of food grade hoses, able to cater to a number of applications. But what is a food grade hose? What properties set them apart from standard hoses? What applications are they used for? The following guide has been written with the most common questions regarding food grade hoses in mind.

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What Is a Food Grade Hose?

A food grade hose (or food grade tube) is used in the transfer and conveyance of food products, such as seeds, granules, beer and water. They are used in a wide variety of applications in order to prevent contamination of the product.

What Makes a Hose Food Safe?

In order to be approved for use, food quality hoses must meet a number of standards. One of the most common is that they must be FDA-approved. The FDA sets a standard that the materials incorporated into the hose (e.g. plasticisers) must meet.

Another common standard is that the materials must be EN No 10/ compliant for food contact applications. Similar to this, food safe water hoses must also be NSF51 + NSF61 approved for the transfer of drinking water.

Our food grade hoses are marked with a food quality logo, in both our product guide and on our website, making your search easier. Keep an eye out for this logo when looking for a food grade hose in our range.

Is PVC Food Safe?

PVC can be food safe. However, it must meet a number of standards in order to be deemed so. Standard PVC can contain things such as phthalates (a synthetic chemical used in hose manufacturing) which can leach from the hose and into the product it is conveying.

PVC is one of the most common types of materials used for the manufacture of food grade hoses. PVC tends to be tasteless and odourless, which makes it ideal, unlike other hose materials which can transfer smells or tastes to the product.

What Are the Properties of Food Grade Hoses?

The design of food grade hoses can vary, depending on the application. However, a majority of food safe hoses and tubes share similar properties:

• Flexibility – Flexibility is a must for any food grade tubing. A majority of applications will require a hose or tube to be flexible and kink resistant. A food grade flexible hose will provide durability and ease of handling.

• Abrasion resistance – Since food grade hoses are often used in the conveyance of a solid product, the hose needs to be resistant to abrasions in order to prevent cracking and leakage. Some of our more heavy-duty food grade hoses contain an internal stainless-steel helix, to prevent the hose from being crushed or kinked.

• Odour resistance – When dealing with applications involving the transfer of food and drink, it’s important that the hose or tubing does not transfer any smells or tastes to the product being conveyed. A standard PVC hose runs the risk of contamination, whereas a food grade hose made from odour resistant PVC is ideal.

• Chemical resistance – Food safe hoses also tend to benefit from a higher chemical resistance than standard PVC hoses, making them better suited for heavy-duty applications such as food processing plants.

• Temperature resistance – Hoses that are food safe can also be capable of withstanding high temperatures. ThermoFlex is a high temp food grade hose, able to withstand temperatures up to 70oC, whilst our suction and discharge food grade hoses can handle temperatures as low as -40oC without losing their flexibility.

• Pressure resistance – Food grade hoses are also able to withstand higher amounts of pressure, unlike standard PVC which can weaken over time.

What Are the Best Applications for Food Grade Hoses?

Food grade hoses are versatile and can be used for a wide variety of applications. Our own food grade hoses are ideal for the applications below:

• Drinking water applications – Some of the most common applications for food grade tubing involve the conveyance of drinking water. This can range from anything from drink dispensers in restaurants to drinking fountains in schools. Our Aquavend Unreinforced is a food grade water hose, designed primarily for drinking water applications.

• Food industry applications – Obviously one of the biggest markets for food grade hoses is the food industry. These hoses are ideal for food processing, conveying a number of products from seeds to grains. Our food grade suction hose, Superclear, is the ideal fit for this kind of application. It is fully transparent, allowing for quick and easy inspection on production lines. A food grade clear hose allows the product to be seen directly even when being processed, meaning that production does not need to be halted.

Caravan/marine applications – Food grade hoses can be used in caravans or boats to fill onboard water tanks. They can also be used to collect drinking water from an on-site tap. Aquavend Reinforced PVC is a food grade hose for caravan sites, motorhomes, and boats. It is made from odourless and taint-free specialist materials, making it ideal for these kinds of applications, unlike standard PVC hoses which can taint the drinking water.

Animal farming applications – Hoses that are food safe can also be used for the distribution of seeds, grain and other food materials to livestock. The Food Grade Delivery Hose in our suction and discharge range is ideal for this type of application. Whilst tough and flexible, it is also able to withstand colder working conditions (down to -40oC) without losing its flexibility, making it suitable for outdoor use as well as indoor.

Are Garden Hoses Food Safe?

Are garden hoses safe for drinking water? This is a common question, and the answer is that generally unless otherwise stated, garden hoses are not deemed safe for drinking water.

Garden hoses can still hold onto water, even after use. If the garden hose is also left out in the sun, the warmth can cause a build-up of bacteria inside the hose.

Depending on the manufacturer, cheaper PVC garden hoses can also contain lead, which can cause health issues, even with low doses. Cheaper garden hoses can also contain phthalates, which can be transferred to the plant life, lawn, or crops being grown in the garden.

When selecting a garden hose, it’s important to make sure it is phthalate-free or DEPH-free, so nothing harmful can be transferred from the hose to the garden.

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Food Grade Hose - Buyers Guide

Food-grade hoses play a vital role in ensuring the safety and quality of food and beverages produced. Organizations such as HACCP, FDA, CDC, and SHIPSAN enforce regulations to prevent product contamination. Food-grade hoses are made from flexible materials like polyurethane, PVC, and thermoplastic rubber. Each material has advantages and disadvantages, making it essential to choose the proper hose for each application, including the transportation of highly fragrant products. This article discusses the main features, materials, certifications, and applications of food-grade hoses.

Table of contents

• Why do I need a food-grade hose?
• Food-grade certifications and regulations
• Food-grade hose materials
• Selection criteria
• Applications
• FAQs

Why do I need a food-grade hose?

Food-safe hoses enable the safe and hygienic transfer of liquid and dry bulk food materials. These hoses protect food products from external contaminants during the transfer. Because these hoses come into contact with food products, it is crucial to use the appropriate hose material to prevent any contamination of foreign substances into the food products. Therefore, the hose must adhere to specific standards to avoid deterioration that could potentially impact the quality, aroma, purity, or taste of the food products flowing through it. While they may look like other types of hoses, food processing hoses differ from them in the following ways:

• Non-toxic, non-metal construction: Plastics and rubbers offer inherent corrosion resistance, making them ideal for food and beverage operation equipment. Metal components, excluding stainless steel, are often susceptible to corrosion, which contaminates food products.
• Excellent durability: Food-grade hoses are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of food processing facilities (e.g., high temperatures, pressures, and abrasion).
• Pressure capacity: Many food processing operations maintain various pressure conditions. A wide variety of food-grade hoses is available on the market suited for use in vacuum and pneumatic applications.
• Odorless/tasteless design: The food-grade hoses are designed not to add odors to products, contamination, or flavors to the conveyed material, nor do they absorb odors. This helps keep the taste and aroma of the final product intact.

Food-grade certifications and regulations

Food-grade hoses should comply with various standards, regulations, and certifications:

• FDA (Food and Drug Administration): In the United States, the FDA regulates materials like plastics, rubbers, and metals that contact food, with CFR177. specifically addressing the suitability of rubber and rubber-like compounds for food-grade use.
• EU Regulation /: (EC) / - EU is a European regulation that governs materials and objects, including plastic, rubber, metal, and silicone hoses, intended for contact with food and beverages.
• NSF (National Sanitation Foundation): NSF/ANSI 51: Food Equipment Materials is a standard that applies to materials and finishes used in the manufacture of food equipment, which includes food-grade hoses. It specifies requirements for the materials to be non-toxic, durable, and easy to clean.

Food-grade hose materials

Food-grade hoses are made from flexible materials, such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and thermoplastic rubber. Additionally, they have an internal spiral wire made from stainless steel that provides strength and durability to the overall assembly.

Thermoplastics

Thermoplastic hoses are made from flexible plastic polymer materials tolerant to heat and chemicals. These hoses are suitable for transferring and processing various liquid food products, juices, beer, wine, water, pastes, and syrups. The primary materials under this category are polyurethane, PVC, and PTFE.

Rubber

The durability of rubber food-grade hoses makes them excellent for demanding, heavy-duty food transfer applications. Like thermoplastic hoses, rubber hoses are designed to handle the suction and discharge of various liquid food products and edible grains. The most common rubbers used are NBR and EPDM.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is an excellent alternative for applications that do not require flexible hosing. Stainless steel is easy to clean and widely used in the food and beverage tube industries. Typically, the material meets and exceeds the requirements of food and beverage safety standards.

Selection criteria

A good quality food-grade hose will not merely transport food, but it will preserve its integrity and quality during the process. When selecting food-grade hoses for a particular application, there are several factors to consider to ensure that the hose is safe, effective, and compliant with regulatory requirements.

1. Material composition and regulations: Common materials used in food-grade hoses include PVC, silicone, rubber, and polyurethane. The material should be compliant with FDA, USDA, or other applicable regulations for food-grade products.
   1. Food-grade hoses used in the UK and Europe must comply with the standards outlined in (EU) No.10/ and (EC) No./ for food contact applications.
   2. Food hoses intended for transferring drinking water must also be approved by NSF51 and NSF61.
   3. In the US, food-grade hoses must be made from materials that are FDA-approved.
2. Temperature: For high-temperature applications, materials such as silicone, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) are commonly used due to their ability to handle temperatures up to 204 °C (400 °F) and sometimes higher. For instance, silicone hoses are widely used in baking, candy making, and other high-temperature food processing applications. For low-temperature applications, materials such as PVC, polyurethane, and rubber are commonly used due to their ability to handle temperatures as low as -40 °C (-40 °F).
3. Pressure: Choose a food-grade hose with a pressure rating that matches the pressure requirements of the application. For example, a high-pressure hose may be required for transferring thick or viscous liquids, while a low-pressure hose may be suitable for transferring thin liquids, such as water or beer.
4. Flexibility: Flexible food-grade hoses are easier to install and are less likely to break, which can prevent contamination of the food or beverage being transferred. Flexible food-grade hoses are typically made from materials such as silicone, PVC, and polyurethane, and they can be reinforced with wire or other materials to enhance their flexibility and durability.

Applications

Food-grade hoses are utilized in any situation where food or drink must be moved from one location to another. They can be found not only in food processing facilities but also in other settings such as pubs, restaurants, and breweries. Additionally, food hoses are used in the pharmaceutical industry due to their capacity to transfer substances without affecting their aroma or taste. Table 1 shows standard food-grade material hoses, temperature range, and typical applications.

Table 1: Standard food-grade material hoses, temperature range, and typical applications

Material Application Temperature range PVC Ideal for applications where pressure and temperature are limited, such as drinking water, soft drinks, and various raw materials. PVC hoses are transparent, lightweight, and flexible. -20 ????C - 60 ????C (-4 ????F - 140 ????F) PTFE PTFE hoses are ideal where temperature, pressure, or movement are high—used for filters and centrifuges, fragrances, and flavorings. PTFE has excellent chemical resistance and is typically easy to clean. -70 ????C - 260 ????C (-94 ????F - 500 ????F) Polyurethane Hoses made of polyurethane are used with dry and abrasive foods. Polyurethane is resistant to fatty foods and is suitable for dry ingredients such as spices and milk powders. -40 ????C - 90 ????C (-40 ????F - 194 ????F) NBR For applications needing oil and greaseproof material. Among other applications, NBR hoses are used with dairy products, oils, mayonnaise, and soft drinks. -30 ????C - 100 ????C (-22 ????F - 212 ????F) EPDM EPDM hoses are commonly used for drinks and juices. Beverages such as beer, soft drinks, and wine are also used with EPDM hoses, which can also be used for high-alcohol beverages. -70 ????C - 260 ????C(-94 ????F - 500 ????F) Stainless steel Used almost exclusively for applications with high temperatures. Typically expensive to use but offers unmatched reliability, is easy to clean, and can be used for nearly all products. -100 ????C - 300 ????C (-148 ????F - 572 °F)

FAQs

What makes a hose food grade?

A hose is considered 'food grade' if it meets certain criteria and standards that make it safe for food processing and handling applications.

Is polyethylene tubing safe for drinking water?

Yes, but ensure the tubing is labeled as 'NSF-61' or 'NSF-PW' certified. This means it has been tested and approved for use in potable water applications by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).

What is a food-grade water hose?

A food-grade water hose is designed for use in food and beverage applications where the hose will come into contact with potable water.

Is vinyl tubing food-safe?

Vinyl tubing can be suitable for some food and beverage applications, but not all vinyl tubing is rated for use with food and potable water.

What is an FDA-approved plastic?

Some plastic types that are commonly used for food packaging and have received FDA clearance include Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonate (PC), and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)

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