PLA and ABS vs food safety? Is it save to print parts in PLA and/or ABS which come in contact with food. Like a lid for a jar, a plastic spoon or lunchbox on thingiverse? Regards, PB https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,164077#msg-164077 Sun, 13 Sep 2026 07:49:52 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,790314#msg-790314 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,790314#msg-790314
Could UV light be used to sanitize a part after use with food?

Thanks

Nick]]> ntar827 General Fri, 29 Sep 2017 18:15:35 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789835#msg-789835 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789835#msg-789835 www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com]]]> tjnamtiw General Tue, 26 Sep 2017 08:54:10 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789806#msg-789806 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789806#msg-789806
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tjnamtiw
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Origamib

I live in the UK where food standards are much higher. In fact, it is illegal to sell pet food that isn't safe for human consumption in this country.

Hahaha. I hope your regulating bodies for food safety are better than ours! I doubt they worry too much about pets except for maybe all the Muslim's goats. (sarcasm to the max) I pity you guys.

Please don't use offending sentences of that sort, labelling it as sarcasm doesn't make it more acceptable.


Also for your information : The reason they make pet food safe for humans is because it is cheap. Living in a country which tends to go toward unregulated liberal economy creates more and more poverty. Poor people need to eat too, and some may decide to eat pet food.]]> DeuxVis General Tue, 26 Sep 2017 04:57:35 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789730#msg-789730 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789730#msg-789730
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Origamib

I live in the UK where food standards are much higher. In fact, it is illegal to sell pet food that isn't safe for human consumption in this country.

Hahaha. I hope your regulating bodies for food safety are better than ours! I doubt they worry too much about pets except for maybe all the Muslim's goats. (sarcasm to the max) I pity you guys.]]> tjnamtiw General Mon, 25 Sep 2017 13:03:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789709#msg-789709 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789709#msg-789709
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cwaa
So wood is unsafe to eat out of?

Wow, you really want an answer don't you? Try googling the answer, this thread died a while back. Wood is naturally antibacterial... Plastic isn't. What the 'safe' level of bacterial growth on your cutlery is up to you. With the volume of open space inside a printed object though it could quickly become a factory for bacteria. I'll take my wooden spoon any day over printed cutlery.

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tjnamtiw
Here we are worrying about whether PLA is safe to eat yet we buy all these foods from countries with no food safety standards and Congress voted to REMOVE the 'country of origin' labels from all products!!! My cat was killed by the Chinese when they substituted unsafe fillers into the cat food. True story. Do you honestly think the products you buy every day in WalMart are made with safe products in a safe environment? If you do, you are naive.

I live in the UK where food standards are much higher. In fact, it is illegal to sell pet food that isn't safe for human consumption in this country.]]> Origamib General Mon, 25 Sep 2017 11:04:48 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789699#msg-789699 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789699#msg-789699 tjnamtiw General Mon, 25 Sep 2017 09:50:23 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789689#msg-789689 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789689#msg-789689 cwaa General Mon, 25 Sep 2017 08:44:55 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789280#msg-789280 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789280#msg-789280 cwaa General Fri, 22 Sep 2017 10:04:36 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789269#msg-789269 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789269#msg-789269 tjnamtiw General Fri, 22 Sep 2017 07:58:53 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789229#msg-789229 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789229#msg-789229 Origamib General Fri, 22 Sep 2017 01:19:27 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789209#msg-789209 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789209#msg-789209 tjnamtiw General Thu, 21 Sep 2017 19:27:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789204#msg-789204 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,789204#msg-789204 Then we have to worry about what kind of plastic this bubble that we're living in is made of.


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I passed Devil's Advocacy 101]]> Bokem44 General Thu, 21 Sep 2017 18:04:23 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,704523#msg-704523 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,704523#msg-704523 tjnamtiw General Thu, 01 Sep 2016 13:07:28 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,585185#msg-585185 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,585185#msg-585185 Hey everyone! Great question - a lot of people on the Pinshape community are also asking about how to make their prints food safe so we just published a blog article on this very subject. It seems to be highly debated but there are steps you can take to make your prints more food safe. We've broken down a lot of your recommendations as well so thanks for all the comments from the community here - you helped us put this together! ]]> pinshape General Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:05:53 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,401224#msg-401224 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,401224#msg-401224
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grat
Someone mentioned their coffee at 100C... I'd also like to see someone drink coffee that was 100 degrees celsius... well, actually, I wouldn't, they would instantly burn themselves very badly. According to the warning labels, 72 C (~160 F) is enough to produce second or third degree burns in about 0.5 seconds. Dropping down to a "mere" 60 C (140 F) can still cause burns in under 5 seconds.
.

To be fair, you're right that nobody drinks their coffee at 100C, but some coffee makers (such as one of those over-the-cup cones) operate such that near-boiling coffee is going to touch your cup (long before you drink it, hopefully).]]> hockenmaier General Sat, 30 Aug 2014 16:26:51 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,401174#msg-401174 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,401174#msg-401174
100C is boiling, and is excessive for sanitizing purposes-- Granted, more is frequently better, and if I were sterilizing a surgical implement, I'd want as much heat as possible.

Someone mentioned their coffee at 100C... I'd also like to see someone drink coffee that was 100 degrees celsius... well, actually, I wouldn't, they would instantly burn themselves very badly. According to the warning labels, 72 C (~160 F) is enough to produce second or third degree burns in about 0.5 seconds. Dropping down to a "mere" 60 C (140 F) can still cause burns in under 5 seconds.

Generally though, it's unlikely anyone's dishwasher gets to 100C. For the sanitary cycle, mine maxes out at 72C, which is going to be a bit more than PLA can handle, but under what ABS can handle (which isn't surprising, since many components inside dishwashers are made of ABS). PLA has a relatively low glass-transition temperature (60 - 65 C), so would not be a good idea (at least in my dishwasher), and no one knows what additives were used to produce the colors and/or glow effects, so I think I'd stay away from that. ABS has a much, much higher TG, but requires more effort to produce a water-tight container (and I don't have a heated build chamber).

All of this means the cup I printed out of T-Glase will probably go through the dishwasher with no problems as it's glass-transition temperature is 78C. Taulman has said it's FDA approved for direct food contact, but hasn't followed up with the certifications as far as I know, and whether that applies to the colored T-Glase, I really don't know.

Still though, there's a bit of a risk, and caution should be used. Granted, according to the rules most health and food safety experts recommend, the human race should have been wiped out millennia ago by our unsafe cooking practices (even granting that excessive antibiotic use has produced far more dangerous strains of salmonella and e. coli, but that's another discussion), but there's no sense in asking for trouble.]]> grat General Sat, 30 Aug 2014 14:26:20 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,400386#msg-400386 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,400386#msg-400386
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crispy1
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Has anyone done any real testing on this? I don't mind spending an hour finishing my prints very carefully with lacquer if it means I can be really confident about food safety (especially with ABS stuff, since I'd really like to be able to steam clean or dishwash).

The grades of ABS we use get pretty soft by 100C. They might hold their shape through a dishwashing cycle, or they may not.

Also, AFAIK, unless a chemical specifically says it is food safe then you assume it isn't. So for example your typical 2 part epoxies you buy in Lowes are not considered food safe from a chemical standpoint.

I have put several parts, both PLA and ABS, through my dishwasher. Dishwashers may vary significantly in how hot they get, but in my testing all of my ABS things were fine and all of the PLA things warped quite a bit.

I would also be very interested if anyone has found a coating or dip that can waterproof prints easily.]]> hockenmaier General Thu, 28 Aug 2014 16:58:45 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,260710#msg-260710 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,260710#msg-260710 knowbusiness General Tue, 29 Oct 2013 10:05:13 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,259544#msg-259544 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,259544#msg-259544 A2 General Sun, 27 Oct 2013 08:54:17 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,259488#msg-259488 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,259488#msg-259488 nechaus General Sun, 27 Oct 2013 06:11:24 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,259024#msg-259024 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,259024#msg-259024
therefore, I print a pla coffee cup. Can it handle the 100 degree C coffee i put in it without going soft and leaking chemicals into my Guatamalan? :)

I paint it with polyurethane lacker, to seal the object against bacteria, and dry it for a month at room temp to cure it. I then put boiling coffee in that. Can the lacker withstand it without melting off into my Columbian? :)

thanks in advance, I want a worry free brew in my custom designed mug!]]> mrPrik General Fri, 25 Oct 2013 16:15:41 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,237660#msg-237660 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,237660#msg-237660 -------------------------------------------------------
> ... the problem defining the 'safety'-level is
> caused by the big amount of potential harmfull
> additives and 'optimizers' not listed in the
> receipe 8-)


Hi Guys,

PLEASE read my commentary: don't eat from unknown plastics, uncertified surfaces, and uncertified geometries. This is serious stuff. The stuff that ends up in the news about how 3d printed chinese plastic ended up giving children autism or something. That's hype from me, and not necessarily likely, but it is totally possible with unknown additives and long term exposure.

I've had filament made from a factory before. They don't want to (and don't need to) tell you every chemical in there that is dangerous because it wasn't intended for Food safety. IF you asked for food grade versions, you WOULD RECEIVE a different PLA! (and pay more). And, if not food grade, you could be picking up fragment from previous thermoplastic extrusions (i.e. nylon, abs, etc, and their unknown additives)

In fact, even if you took food safe plastic (i.e. virgin, not recycled, no additives, food-grade masterbatch color, etc), and ran it through a 3D printer, it could never received a commercial food grade rating because of the pits and valleys... i.e., it isn't a cleanable surface. And the inner surfaces (except the stainless prusa hotend) aren't food grade. Even if the surface of a print is smoothed, there is a minimum angle of smoothness defiened by the sanitation foundations (i.e. a radius of 1/4") that is required to allow mechanical cleaning (i.e. a rag with bleach) to leave no crevice unturned.

Re: solvent smoothing: Lets also not forget - eating residues of acetone vapor AND impurities from the acetone itself sedimentation inside the plastic, which you could eat.

By far the biggest concern of mine is not a few bad bacteria hiding in a corner somewhere. You have to be immunocomprimised for a few (million) bacteria or their toxins to hurt you. The real issue is the leeching of unknowns, including the catalyst that makes PLA itself, which one type is call "stannous octoate" stannous octoate safety

"Other – Stannous octoate is considered reprotoxic Category 2 (damaging to the reproductive process) based on developmental effects.21"

so yeah. its not the most dangerous thing out there, its only an additive to expoxies and paints. It is a polymerizing catalyst (not unlike a photopolymer, which by the way, you use glove to handle after prints). The rest of the MSDS reads like an MSDS for table salt (could be a sensitizer if touched or breathed as fine particles)

Sources: I've worked on developing filaments from manufacturers worldwide. I have worked on implementing national santitation foundation guidelines to commercial food dispensing equipment. Phd in bioengineering. Common sense

You only have one body, don't risk it. I don't want people getting sick and ruining the field of 3D printing for others. Some day 3D material will make it properly into the workflow of acceptable food-grade pursuits. As far as I know, (having asked shapeways) the only the 3D prints truly food safe are ceramic-glazed after printing (i.e. sealed, and smoothed, and food-grade coatings tested for ages as safe)]]> Simba General Mon, 19 Aug 2013 16:35:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,203374#msg-203374 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,203374#msg-203374 Mondotiki General Sat, 27 Apr 2013 11:13:45 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,176069#msg-176069 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,176069#msg-176069 VDX General Fri, 11 Jan 2013 04:48:18 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,176062#msg-176062 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,176062#msg-176062 ecoreprap General Fri, 11 Jan 2013 03:54:17 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,175807#msg-175807 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,175807#msg-175807
Quote

Has anyone done any real testing on this? I don't mind spending an hour finishing my prints very carefully with lacquer if it means I can be really confident about food safety (especially with ABS stuff, since I'd really like to be able to steam clean or dishwash).

The grades of ABS we use get pretty soft by 100C. They might hold their shape through a dishwashing cycle, or they may not.

Also, AFAIK, unless a chemical specifically says it is food safe then you assume it isn't. So for example your typical 2 part epoxies you buy in Lowes are not considered food safe from a chemical standpoint.]]> crispy1 General Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:20:03 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,175772#msg-175772 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,175772#msg-175772 -------------------------------------------------------
> Polyurethane lacquer from Home Depot, Lowes or
> whichever store you buy your paint and dremel bits
> from. Once it's dry the surface can be considered
> "food safe."


Has anyone done any real testing on this? I don't mind spending an hour finishing my prints very carefully with lacquer if it means I can be really confident about food safety (especially with ABS stuff, since I'd really like to be able to steam clean or dishwash).

Something you could dip-apply like with pottery and ceramics would be really great.]]> MilesWilford General Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:32:36 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,175284#msg-175284 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,175284#msg-175284
I had 2 identical pieces, one was raw out of the printer, one was acetone dipped (actually painted on). I took photos of the top and edge of the item.

The dipped one is better sealed but the surface is wavy a bit. I would not worry at all about bacteria growth as any on it would easily be removed through regular dish washing.

That being said, I myself would not eat from my ABS prints as I don't trust the chemicals in the ABS. I would however trust the PLA plastic used in printers as long as the surface could be sealed like the abs, maybe a heat gun?!?

I would never try to sell a product for food use due to laws and possible repercussions but as stated, I would put a PLA spoon in my own mouth or drink soda from a PLA cup. I would only repeat this if the surface was sealed so it could be cleaned properly.]]> tmorris9 General Sun, 06 Jan 2013 20:13:56 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,175223#msg-175223 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,175223#msg-175223 Polycarb is most certainally NOT SAFE for food contact OR potable water. Nalge/Nalgene got butt-hertzed over that one in the courts and had to switch to a specific grade of food-contact/potable water-grade polyester. (I know because I was involved in the whistle-blowing.)

Look up the PBA slash endocrine-disrupter brewhaha that's ongoing, in order to fully grasp the whole situation. It's complex... and in the end if you are making an item for sale, be damn sure you are using food/water grade materials!

If in doubt, use resins like HDPE or PET. Milk-bottles and soda-bottles respectivally. If you are blessed with access to a filiment-machine (like the Lyman/Lymen Extruder on Thingverse) you can dice up some HDPE or PET and attempt to make your own filiments.

I would do it in a perfectly clean brand new extruder, any of the previous materials you've run leave residue behind. Unless you're a plastic-professional and follow a strict purging and teardown/cleaning ritual it's virtually impossible to restore a "used" Lyman to FPW-contact service.]]> Brian "Plastic Nerd" Richard General Sun, 06 Jan 2013 13:41:32 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,168843#msg-168843 Re: PLA and ABS vs food safety? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,164077,168843#msg-168843
Well, the most worrisome thing about direct use of clay-based dishes is that clay naturally absorbs heavy metals, so when in contact with any substance (water, juices, cofee, or many foods), it will allow those substances to leach off the heavy metals and redeposit them in the human body. Glazing produces a glass wrap onto the clay, thereby rendering the clay essentially chemically inert.

Not to say that pores don't play a part, which is why it's a pretty standard rule amongst those who keep house to throw away any cups, bowls etc with cracks, even when they're just through the glaze. This was brought into the limelight here in the States back in the 1970s when many were becoming sick from drinking orange juice from glazed ceramics during the hippy revolution and the number of incidents of heavy metal poisoning burgeoned and was traced back to the pottery.]]> xiando General Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:27:34 -0500