3D printing technology has revolutionized product design and manufacturing across countless industries. From aerospace to medical devices, 3D printing provides engineers and designers an efficient way to iterate and test ideas before full-scale production.
In recent years, 3D printing has also made its way into the culinary arts. Chefs and home cooks now use 3D printers to make intricate cake decorations, customized chocolate molds, and even novel food shapes and textures. However, with this new application comes an important consideration – is your 3D printer filament actually food safe?
When working with food, it’s critical to use materials that won’t leach harmful chemicals into edibles. Not all plastics are created equal when it comes to food safety standards. This guide will walk you through the key factors in choosing a food safe 3D printer filament for your culinary creations.
Filament Materials: PLA, PETG, and Nylon
The most common desktop 3D printing materials are PLA, PETG, and Nylon filaments. Here’s a quick overview of each option:
PLA stands for polylactic acid. It’s one of the most popular beginner filaments given its low melting point, low warping, and ease of printing. PLA is made from renewable plant-based materials like corn starch or sugarcane. While PLA is generally considered food safe, there are a few caveats explored later in this article.
PETG is a modified version of the plastic used for beverage bottles (PET). PETG has excellent chemical resistance and durability compared to PLA. It’s also more flexible. However, PETG can be more difficult to print with due to stringing. In terms of food safety, PETG is FDA approved for food contact.
Nylon is a durable engineering plastic known for its high strength and flexibility. Nylon’s layer adhesion and chemical resistance also make it a good candidate for food safe prints. Look for FDA compliant nylon filaments.
Key Factors for Food Safe 3D Printing
When selecting a food safe 3D printer filament, four key factors come into play:
1. Raw Materials
The source material is the first consideration. As mentioned above, PLA and PETG filaments are made from materials generally recognized as safe for food contact. Always look for manufacturers that use food grade or USP Class VI certified raw materials in their filament. These stringent standards help ensure no toxic contaminants are present.
2. Additives
Plastic filaments will often contain additives like colorants, plasticizers or impact modifiers to achieve certain properties. These additives could potentially leach from the material and should be vetted for food safety. Reputable filament producers will use only food grade additives rated FDA or EU 10/2011 compliant.
3. Manufacturing Processes
The processes used to manufacture and extrude the raw plastics into filament can introduce impurities if not controlled properly. Look for manufacturers that follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This includes things like clean room environments, purified water systems, food grade equipment, and contamination prevention steps.
4. Testing & Compliance
Rigorous testing of the finished filament provides validation of food safety. Search for food grade materials certified according to US FDA or EU food contact regulations. RoHS, REACH and Eco-Label certifications also help verify lack of hazardous substances.
Best Practices for Food Safe 3D Printing
Choosing a vetted food safe filament is the first step. You also need to take care during printing and post-processing:
- Print in a Well-Ventilated Area: Some 3D printers can emit tiny airborne particles during printing. Print away from food prep areas and allow prints to air ventilate for a few hours before use with food.
- Food Grade Adhesives: If glue or sealant is needed, be sure to use a food grade option to assemble prints.
- Proper Post-Processing: Take care when sanding and smoothing prints, as dust residue could get trapped in layer crevices. Properly wash prints after post-processing.
- Clean Equipment: Keep your print bed, extruder, and surrounding areas free of contaminants. bacteria can collect on equipment and get embedded into prints.
- Proper Curing: Allow prints to fully cure before food use, especially with photoreactive resins. Uncured resin can be toxic.
Following food grade design principles is also encouraged. Avoid sharp internal edges or deep crevices where bacteria can accumulate. Design objects for easy cleaning and sterilization.
Top Filament Brands for Food Safe 3D Printing
Now that you know what to look for, here are some of the top filament brands for food safe 3D printing:
Polymaker Polymide CoPA: This nylon filament is certified USP Class VI and NSF/ANSI 51 food safe. It offers excellent thermal and chemical resistance perfect for repeat-use food objects.
ColorFabb nGen: This unique copolyester filament is FDA food contact compliant. It’s also BPA-free and offers good toughness combined with sharp print quality.
FormFutura HDglass: A high-quality PETG filament, HDglass has FDA food contact approval and features strong interlayer adhesion for watertight prints.
Ultimaker PLA: A staple PLA filament optimized for the popular Ultimaker machines. Uses food safe additives and dyes. Not necessarily suitable for prolonged exposure to foods.
eSUN ePLA+: An affordable PLA option, eSUN filaments meet FDA and RoHS standards. Great for general use food prints with limited food contact.
Prusa POLYCAST: Prusa’s take on castable wax-like resins. Complies with food safety standards and perfect for detailed pastry decorations or chocolate molds.
Key Takeaways on Food Grade 3D Printing
The world of 3D printing and culinary arts continues to evolve quickly. When exploring food applications, take care to select materials designed for prolonged food contact. Look for filaments with food grade certifications and known safe material composition.
Adhere to post-processing best practices like cleaning and curing prints before use. With thoughtful design and material selection, 3D printing offers an exciting new avenue for innovative chefs and bakers alike. Bon appétit!
