Is PLA Food Safe? Everything You Need to Know Before 3D Printing with This Material

PLA (polylactic acid) is one of the most common materials used in 3D printing today. Known for being easy to print with and providing decent strength, PLA has become a go-to filament for many hobbyists and professionals alike.

However, there are concerns about whether PLA is actually food-safe and suitable for items like food containers, utensils, and bakeware. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what makes a material food-safe, look at the key factors regarding PLA, and help you determine if PLA is the right choice for your particular application.

What Makes a 3D Printing Material Food Safe?

For a 3D printing material to be considered food-safe, it needs to meet certain criteria:

• Non-Toxic: The material cannot release any chemicals or substances that could be hazardous if ingested. Food-safe plastics are formulated not to leach chemicals into food or drink.
• Heat-Resistant: The material needs to maintain its shape and properties when exposed to hot foods and liquids. It cannot degrade or warp under typical cooking temperatures.
• Non-Porous: The material must have a dense, non-porous surface that does not absorb liquids and promotes easy cleaning. Porous materials can trap bacteria and other contaminants.
• FDA Compliant: For commercial applications, the material should meet FDA standards for being in direct contact with food. Most true food-safe plastics are FDA approved.

In general, the fewer chemicals in a plastic, the more likely it is to be food-safe. Materials that are specifically engineered for food contact, like polyethylene and polypropylene, have the best safety track records.

Is PLA an Inherently Food-Safe Material?

PLA is derived from renewable plant-based sources like corn starch and sugar cane. This might lead some people to assume it is food-safe by default. However, that is not necessarily the case.

Here are some key factors to consider regarding PLA’s safety profile:

• Made from plant materials: PLA being plant-based does give it a bit of an advantage over plastics derived from fossil fuels. However, the manufacturing process uses chemicals to modify the organic material, so the final PLA plastic still contains additives.
• May contain traces of solvents: PLA production involves solvents like methylene chloride to help extrude the material into filament. Traces could linger if the material is not properly purified.
• Requires additives: Like most plastics, PLA filament contains extra compounds added to enhance printability, durability, flexibility, etc. These extra chemicals could potentially leach out.
• Not FDA approved: Unlike some commercial food-grade plastics, PLA in its raw 3D printing filament form is not approved by the FDA for direct food contact. Manufacturers make no claims about it being food-safe.

So while PLA has some advantages over other plastics, there are still risks associated with using it for food-related prints. Due to the presence of solvents, additives, and lack of FDA compliance, PLA cannot be considered 100% food-safe.

Factors That Impact PLA’s Food Safety

Even though raw PLA contains compounds that may be unsafe for food, there are some mitigating factors that can influence the material’s practical safety when used for prints.

Here are some key considerations:

• Print settings: Higher temperature prints likely drive off more impurities, improving food safety. Well-dialed in settings also ensure a smoother, less porous surface.
• Food contact time: Brief contact with non-greasy foods poses far less risk than prolonged exposure to fatty or acidic foods that could more readily absorb chemicals.
• Post-processing: Proper cleaning, smoothing, sealing, and curing of prints can all help reduce surface irregularities that could trap bacteria or allow leaching.
• Material composition: Some specialty PLA blends advertise food-safe properties. But analyze claims carefully, as adding components doesn’t necessarily guarantee safety.
• User responsibility: Regardless of material, proper maintenance and cleaning of prints is essential. Don’t let contamination issues result from user neglect.

So while PLA may not be considered food-safe outright, taking the right precautions can significantly improve its safety profile for certain applications.

Is PLA Food Safe? Key Takeaways on PLA and Food Safety

When evaluating if PLA is truly food-safe and suitable for a particular use case, keep these key takeaways in mind:

• Raw, untreated PLA should generally be considered unsafe for direct food contact. The material contains impurities and lacks FDA approval.
• However, PLA is unlikely to be highly toxic or hazardous if used with food, especially for brief contacts or non-greasy items. Risks appear low overall.
• With careful post-processing and maintenance, PLA can potentially approach food-safe levels for some applications like cookie cutters, serving trays, etc.
• For prolonged contact with acidic or fatty foods, play it safe and choose an alternate food-grade material like PETG or stainless steel. Don’t gamble with questionable plastics.
• When in doubt, opt for more inert materials over plastics. Food-grade silicone, wood, ceramic, or glass offer good alternatives.
• Regardless of material, proper cleaning and maintenance is a must! No material stays food-safe forever without proper care.

So is PLA food safe? In short – it’s complicated! With smart precautions PLA can likely be used with relative safety for certain applications, but traditional food-grade plastics or alternate materials are recommended when direct contact is required. Evaluate your specific use case carefully.

Applications to Exercise Caution When Considering PLA

Because of the risks outlined above, here are some food-related applications where you should exercise caution and consider alternatives to PLA:

• Long-term food storage: Prolonged contact with acidic foods could increase the leaching of chemicals from PLA over time. Use food-grade plastic containers or glass instead.
• Baking pans and cookware: The high heat of oven baking could potentially cause PLA to warp or release compounds. Opt for metal bakeware instead.
• Cutting boards: PLA’s porous surface could absorb liquids and harbor bacteria. Use FDA-approved HDPE or wood cutting boards which have naturally anti-microbial properties.
• Infant feeding bottles: Babies are especially vulnerable to ingesting chemicals, so avoid taking risks with questionable plastics. Opt for glass bottles.
• Teething rings: For items that will spend extensive time in a baby’s mouth, don’t take chances on unknown substances leaching from plastic.
• Utensils: Over time, PLA utensils could absorb flavors and stains that would be impossible to fully clean. Use stainless steel utensils instead.

For direct food contact over extended periods, err on the side of caution and avoid PLA. But for brief contact items that receive hand washing, PLA may offer acceptable utility.

Applications Where PLA May Provide Utility with Precautions

For certain applications where PLA will only contact food briefly or indirectly, it may provide utility with proper precautions taken:

• Cookie cutters and cake decorations: If thoroughly cleaned after use, PLA cookie cutters likely pose little risk with brief contact.
• Cake toppers and decorative elements: These see limited contact and are not subjected to heat. Exercise common sense maintenance.
• Serving trays and platters: For short durations, these are likely low risk. Just avoid acidic or greasy foods that could absorb chemicals.
• Salt and pepper shakers: So long as they are properly sealed, these items shouldn’t pose any health risks with normal use.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Try to minimize greasy buildup, but these see such limited exposure they should be relatively safe.
• Certain food molds: Molds for chocolates or ice could be handy, provided they get careful washing and drying after each use.

For these types of applications, PLA may offer a cost-effective and easy printing solution. But take steps to properly clean and maintain prints, use mild foods, and limit exposure times whenever possible. Also consider more inert materials if available.

Tips for Printing Food-Safe Items with PLA

If you do choose to print food-related items in PLA, here are some best practices to increase safety:

• Opt for a high quality PLA like HTPLA that is purified with reduced impurities. Avoid cheap discount PLAs of questionable composition.
• Use the highest temperature settings possible to better burn off residual solvents or compounds.
• Enable additional shells and infill for less porous prints that are easier to clean and maintain.
• Sand and polish prints to help seal and smooth the surface, reducing bacterial adhesion risks.
• Wash thoroughly before first use, and avoid greasy or acidic foods that could absorb chemicals from the material.
• Consider a sealing clear coat designed for plastic, but verify its food safe properties first.
• Let prints fully cure and off-gas any residual odors before handling or using with food.
• When in doubt, put a barrier between the print and food via packaging, wraps, bags, or linings.

Exercising precautions like these can help mitigate risks when using PLA for food-related prints. But ultimately, food-grade plastics or alternate materials are best for direct contact applications.

Key Takeaways on PLA and Food Safety

To wrap up, here are the key takeaways to remember:

• Raw PLA should not be considered food-safe because of impurities, lack of FDA approval, and potential to leach chemicals.
• With careful precautions, PLA may approach food-safe for some applications with brief contact. But prolonged exposure is risky.
• For direct contact such as utensils, storage, and bakeware, choose alternate food-grade filaments like PETG or stainless steel.
• With non-PLA materials like glass, silicone, wood, or ceramic, you can eliminate concerns about plastic entirely.
• Regardless of material, proper maintenance and cleaning is essential for any food-related print.
• Take responsibility for researching and understanding potential risks before using prints with food.

While PLA’s food safety may exist in a grey area, just use common sense precautions and find alternate materials when unsure. Evaluate each use case independently, and let safety guide your decisions. With smart practices, 3D printing can provide useful food-related prints without undue risks.