FDA Approval

Can of worms, we are opening you up.....

Alicia Carlson has brought this up a couple of times in other groups about a conversation that her and I had about FDA Approved products prior to starting this group.

First I am going to state. You run your business so that you are comfortable with the products that you apply to your cups and other food related items.

Second, I am not an attorney that has researched this to the max degree.

But the following statement is similar to what I find on many websites.

"According to FDA regulations, the typical clear wood finishes that dry to a hard film, including polyurethane, are considered food safe. Wait to use the surface until the finish is completely dried, and clean it before allowing food contact."

The following are MY THOUGHTS. Please do not follow if you are not comfortable with my thoughts. I have been called Abby-Normal before. Please do your own research. But facebook pages (including this one) might not be the best place to research. Just sayin.......

1: FDA approval is needed if the food TOUCHES the surface. On your cups, unless you coat the inside, the food is not touching the surface of your coatings.

2: Even if food touches the surface, if the product is a cured product it is considered safe.

3: I personally would also be concerned if the product could fall into the food. Again, if we do not coat the inside, that would be tough to happen.

4: Ok, if we coat to the top of the cup, our lips touch it (unless you use a straw) I dare each of you to go kiss a cup, a car, or other painted/epoxy/polyurethane coated surface. (if you kiss my truck, please wash the truck first). I promise you will not die.

So, from what I have seen. Most of you are using a 2 part epoxy on the OUTSIDE of your cup. food for the most part is not touching the outside of the cup. If food does touch there, I don't see anyone probably trying to drink what just spilled. So we are not coating the inside of the cup.

We are using a 2k product that cures. So technically we meet the requirements that I have found for being FDA compliant if the food touches the surface. I will not use the term "approved". From what I have read, most products that claim to be "approved" maybe are not really approved........ But they are compliant. From what I have read, the FDA does not "approve" a particular product. They approve the chemicals in products. Also compliant can be loosely construed as approved....

Personally I have also not coated the top 1/2 inch or so. My choice to be on the safe side. Plus I am comfortable with my procedure to create that line. I am not real comfortable trying to make a nice line on the top edge. Personal preference. But "lip" contact would also be minimal with leaving an un-coated surface at the top, and pretty hard for it to chip off and fall in the cup. And my biggest reason, less apt to chip if banged on the top edge. If they dent the cup, that is their problem!

I know there will be some "strong" opinions on this subject. If you disagree, great. But if you want to post a difference of opinion, I would like to see mostly factual statements. Not, well billy bob said this...... So lets discuss this in a factual friendly manner. I am here to learn also.

Some thoughts on Urethane, Polyurethane, and Epoxy products that are true 2k and cure. I can rub all of the above with Gasoline, Acetone, Acids and other harsh chemicals. Unless you soak them for days, they will not be hurt. Coffee sure as heck isn't going to wash them off or absorb chemicals in a matter of a few minutes. And again, we are not coating the inside of the cup.

Now, I would not use a product that does not cure as the outer layer. What would that potentially be. 1K aerosol products, 1k paint products. 1K means there is no chemical action to cure the finish. Some of these would be lacquers, some enamels, and there are 1k epoxies out there. If it doesn't have a hardener, I would research the product before using.