Is Epoxy Food Safe? 5 Key Things You Need to Know Before Using It

If you’re asking, “Is epoxy food safe?” then the answer is “Yes!”, but it depends on the type, brand, and how it’s used. For luxury woodwork, countertops, or serving pieces, epoxy can be both beautiful and functional, but safety comes first. In this blog, we'll break down what makes epoxy food-safe, how to ensure it’s safe for contact with food, and where it’s safe or not to use.

Is Epoxy Food Safe?

Yes, epoxy is food-safe, but only with properly approved epoxy resin products that reach the full curing stage. Not every epoxy resin has the requirements to satisfy food safety standards. After curing, these epoxy products might release safety hazards due to solvents such as benzyl alcohol or nonylphenol. Surfaces that handle food need to use epoxy products that carry FDA-approved food-grade status.

What Is Food Safe Epoxy?

After completely curing, epoxy transforms into a neutral resin material that causes no damage to food when making contact. The FDA guidelines test and approve these epoxies for safe food contact. Food-safe epoxy works perfectly for serving trays, along with decorative or functional items that touch food.

Which Types of Epoxy Are Food Safe?

Different grades of epoxy exist in the market. Some manufacturers produce epoxide compounds that serve only decorative or industrial applications. When selecting food-safe epoxy, look for such markings to indicate "Is epoxy food safe":

• Labeled FDA-compliant or food grade

• Does this material exist as an intention to make direct contact with food?

• Sold by popular brands with available SDS (safety data sheets).

Popular brands that provide food-safe epoxies market separate product ranges for safe food usage, so read both product labels and manufacturer documents carefully.

Look for epoxy with FDA-compliant or food grade label
Photo: amy-golden on hirosarts.com

How to Make Epoxy Food Safe?

The process of making "is epoxy food safe" goes beyond purchasing products with "food grade" markings. Correct food safety depends on proper measurements and mixtures together with the right epoxy curing process. Just as knowing how to clean epoxy table surfaces is essential for safe maintenance, these preparation steps are key to ensuring a safe finish from the start:

• Use FDA-compliant products: Choose the best table top epoxy that has undergone third-party leaching and migration testing and meets regulations like FDA 21 CFR 175.300.

• Follow exact mixing ratios: Most epoxy systems require a precise ratio of resin to hardener. Guesswork can result in uncured or tacky surfaces, which are not food-safe.

• Mix completely: Under-mixing can leave pockets of unmixed material that may leach chemicals even after curing.

• Allow full curing time: True food safety is only achieved after full curing, typically 5-7 days. Rushing this step compromises the epoxy’s stability.

• Avoid contamination during curing: Dust, bugs, or oils can settle on the surface while curing, making it unsafe for direct food contact.

• Optional top coat: If you've added pigments or colorants, apply a final clear top coat of food-safe epoxy to seal it. Pigments can alter the chemical balance and leach over time.

• Pro tip: If you're unsure whether your pigment or additive affects safety, always finish with a clear, uncolored top coat from the same food-safe line.

Under-mixing can leave chemical-leaching pockets, even after curing

Safe and Unsafe Applications of Epoxy with Food

Epoxy does not fit with every kitchen item. To maintain functional and stylish kitchen pieces, it is crucial to determine proper epoxy application areas so you can achieve both safety and elegance. If you compare epoxy with polyurethane, epoxy is safer because polyurethane emits VOC emissions that can easily cause poisoning, while is epoxy food safe after curing.

1. Safe Applications

• Trays that serve food alongside charcuterie boards remain safe for consumption when created with food-grade epoxy that was correctly cured.

• Food-safe top coating makes epoxy suitable for table tops and countertops when food stays for short periods.

• Coasters and candy dishes with indirect food contact.

• Wood or metal decor with a clear epoxy finish.

Trays, charcuterie boards or table tops are safe applications of epoxy with food
Photo: ©Zuka83, Kaboompics.com on Canva.com

2. Unsafe Applications

• Despite hardening, epoxy can develop scratches that enable bacteria access to the surface. Knives should never be used on epoxy.

• No cookware or ovenware, as high temperature levels can lead to either warping or burning of epoxy.

• Resin items that are uncured or not properly cured have the potential to release dangerous compounds, mainly due to incorrect mix ratios.

• The addition of colorants glitters along with tints to surfaces does not ensure food safety unless users apply a clear protective topcoat.

Note: Epoxy is never edible or potable, even when cured. Use it as a surface, not a vessel.

Epoxy on cutting boards, cookware, and kitchenware is unsafe for food
Photo: ©Magone, RDNE Stock project on Canva.com

Read more: Epoxy Outdoor Table

FAQs About Epoxy and Food Safety

Working with epoxy for food-related applications raises numerous natural questions. To achieve both safety and a prolonged lifespan in your epoxy-based creations, you need to comprehend its behavior under different environmental conditions.

1. Is It Safe to Drink From an Epoxy Cup?

Yes, but the epoxy material must be FDA-approved, and the mixing process should be precise with full cure and protection from heat and abrasive substances. Users should hand-wash epoxy-made drinkware carefully and should consume cool or ambient temperature drinks from these items.

It is safe to drink from FDA-approved epoxy cups
Photo: doorsydesigns.com

2. Is It Safe to Use Epoxy on Cutting Boards?

No, epoxy does not work well as a material for the actual cutting surface because knife blades create scratches, which allow bacteria to hide effectively. However, using epoxy for decorative edge treatment or decorative accents proves to be completely safe.

3. What Brand of Epoxy Is Food Safe?

The FDA-compliant products from Industrial Clear and ArtResin and Stone Coat Countertops and TotalBoat are available for purchase. Look for those that mention:

• FDA 21 CFR 175.300 compliance

• BPA-free formulas

• No solvents or non-reactive diluents

Always remember to check third-party verification before applying products for usage.

4. Is Epoxy Toxic After It Dries?

Is epoxy food safe becomes completely safe for food use because it turns into a non-hazardous substance after the complete curing process.

Epoxy after fully cured is safe for food use
Photo: Lumber Grand
Shop now: Round Epoxy Coffee Table 35 Inches; Round Epoxy Coffee Table 15 Inches

Additional epoxy product-related inquiries can be sent to our active email contact@lumbergrand.com.

So, is epoxy food safe? A food-safe epoxy product that complies with safety standards can become safe for food when used according to instructions and completely cured. Proper epoxy manipulation allows you to make wood and metal pieces more elegant while ensuring their total food safety. Lumber Grand recommends you to invest in proper materials and take your time to enjoy beautiful design pieces that provide both safety and beauty for you.