“Food grade” is not
a certificate. It is a chain.
Four links: compliant materials, documented edible prior service, segregated handling, and records. Break any one and the container is not food-grade — no matter how clean the bottle looks or how confidently somebody says the words.
Tell us the product and the audit exposure
We will recommend food-grade reconditioned or rebottled, and say plainly which one your situation actually needs.
Tell us what you have.
We will tell you what it is worth.
Buying, selling, washing, hauling or recycling — one form covers all of it. Replies come from a specialist in York, PA, by email, inside one business day.
Prefer plain email? Write to info@ibctotesreco.com — include your ZIP, quantity and what the totes last held.
There is no such thing as an FDA-approved container. The FDA regulates food-contact materials (21 CFR 177 for polymers, and the corresponding sections for elastomers). A used IBC is food-grade only when all four of these hold: compliant contact materials, documented edible prior service from the generating site, segregated handling and recorded cleaning, and the records to prove it. An industrial-prior container cannot be washed into food-grade — the honest answer there is a rebottled unit.
Where the confusion comes from
The phrase “food grade” does three different jobs in ordinary conversation, and people routinely mean one while hearing another.
- A material claim. “This resin complies with 21 CFR 177.1520 for food contact.” True of virtually every natural HDPE IBC bottle ever made, including the ones that spent five years holding herbicide. Material compliance is necessary and nowhere near sufficient.
- A history claim. “This container has only ever held edible products.” This is the claim that actually matters, and it is the one that requires a document rather than an assertion.
- A handling claim. “This container has been cleaned and stored in a way that did not compromise it.” Segregation, dedicated wash bays, separate handling equipment, recorded parameters.
A seller saying “food grade” while meaning claim 1, to a buyer hearing claim 2, is the most common misunderstanding in the used-container trade. It is usually not dishonest. It is still a problem, and it surfaces at the worst possible moment: during an audit, two years later, when nobody can reconstruct what the container held.
Why cleaning cannot fix history
Three independent reasons, each sufficient on its own.
Polymers absorb. HDPE is not an inert wall; it is a semi-crystalline polymer that takes up small molecules into its amorphous regions. Solvents, aromatics, fuel components and some pesticide actives migrate into the wall and come back out slowly over months. A wash removes what is on the surface, not what is in the material.
The prior product may not be characterised. Even with a name, a proprietary formulation's minor components are often not disclosed. You cannot validate the removal of something you cannot identify.
Auditors do not accept it. This is the practical reason. Food safety schemes work on documented chain of custody. “We washed it thoroughly” is not a chain of custody, and a finding against your container programme is a finding against you, not against your supplier.
The two honest routes to a food contact surface
Route 1 — Documented food-grade reconditioned
A container whose prior service was edible, washed on a dedicated food line, 100% hydrostatically tested, fitted with new compliant elastomers, and shipped with the full record set. Roughly 35–45% of new-unit cost. The right choice when your prior-service options are good and the product is forgiving. How we handle this stock.
Route 2 — Rebottled
A brand-new virgin HDPE bottle in a reclaimed, straightened galvanised cage. There is no prior-contents question to answer because there are no prior contents. Roughly 55–65% of new-unit cost, and it keeps 62 lb of sound steel out of the scrap stream. The right choice whenever anything downstream is audited, whenever the product is light-coloured or clarity matters, or whenever you simply do not want to have the conversation. How rebottling works.
Our own order book runs roughly 60/40 in favour of rebottled, and the ratio has risen every year for five years. That is not a sales preference; it is customers deciding that paying 20 percentage points more removes an entire category of risk.
Food-grade, rebottled and industrial, compared properly
| Food-grade reconditioned | Rebottled | Grade B industrial | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact surface | Washed, edible prior service | Virgin HDPE | Washed, industrial prior |
| Prior-contents question | Answered by document | Does not arise | Industrial, declared |
| Wash line | Dedicated food bay | n/a — new bottle | General bays |
| Hydrostatic test | 100% of units | 100% of units | Sampled |
| Elastomers | New, FDA-compliant | New, FDA-compliant | New, industrial |
| Suitable for food | Yes, with records | Yes | No |
| Suitable for potable | Case by case | Yes | No |
| Audit robustness | Good, document-dependent | Strongest | n/a |
| Clarity | Clear to near-clear | Clear | Haze permitted |
| Cost vs new | ≈ 35–45% | ≈ 55–65% | ≈ 25–32% |
| Lead time | Ex-stock to 5 days | 3–7 days | Ex-stock |
| Embodied CO₂e | ≈ 34 lb | ≈ 182 lb | ≈ 34 lb |
Prior products: eligible, case-by-case, never
The third column is permanent. No wash programme changes it.
| Eligible | Case by case | Never eligible |
|---|---|---|
| Juice & syrup concentrate | Dairy intermediates | Crop protection & pesticides |
| Liquid sugar, HFCS | Fermentation by-products | Liquid fertiliser, UAN |
| Brines, vinegar | Cosmetic intermediates | Fuels, diesel, kerosene |
| Edible oils & fats | Nutraceutical blends | Solvents, aromatics, ketones |
| Glycerine & food-grade glycol | Flavour carriers | Plating & process chemistry |
| Beer, wine, cider, must | Pharmaceutical excipients | Pigments, paints, inks |
| Honey, maple sap & syrup | Pet food intermediates | Adhesives & resins |
| Potable & DI water | Enzyme preparations | Non-edible oils |
| Molasses | Hydrogen peroxide (food grade) | Unknown or mixed residues |
Food-grade FAQ
Is there such a thing as an FDA-approved IBC tote?
No. The FDA does not approve containers. It regulates the materials that may contact food — principally polymers under 21 CFR 177 and the corresponding sections for elastomers and adhesives. A manufacturer can certify that a resin complies; nobody can certify that a specific used container is 'FDA approved'. Anyone offering you that phrase either does not understand the framework or is relying on you not to.
What makes a used IBC tote food-grade?
Four things together: the contact materials comply with the relevant food-contact regulations; the prior service was itself edible and is documented from the site that generated the container; the cleaning was done on a line that does not handle industrial residues, with recorded parameters; and the records exist to prove all of the above. Remove any one of the four and the container is not food-grade, whatever it looks like.
Can an industrial tote be cleaned well enough to become food-grade?
No, and this is the single most important sentence on the page. Cleaning removes residue; it does not remove history. Polyethylene absorbs and retains traces of what it has held, the prior product may not be characterised, and no auditor will accept a cleaning record as a substitute for provenance. If you need a food contact surface and the history is industrial, the answer is a rebottled unit with a virgin bottle.
What prior products disqualify a tote from food service permanently?
Crop protection products and pesticides, liquid fertiliser, fuels and solvents, plating and process chemistry, non-edible oils, pigments and paints, adhesives and resins, and anything unknown or mixed. These are permanent disqualifications regardless of condition, washing or how clean the bottle looks afterwards.
Is 'food-grade' the same as 'potable water safe'?
Closely related but not identical. Potable water applications are often governed by drinking-water standards such as NSF/ANSI 61 as well as food-contact rules, and long-term potable storage raises additional issues — notably that a natural HDPE bottle in sunlight supports algae growth. For potable storage we almost always recommend a rebottled unit, shaded or covered.
What documentation should I insist on?
Five documents: the signed prior-contents declaration from the generating site; the wash programme record with temperature, chemistry and cycle time; the final-rinse verification; the hydrostatic or leak test certificate against the unit serial; and the component specification showing which elastomers were fitted with their compliance references. If a supplier cannot produce those, you are buying a clean-looking container and an assumption.
This page explains how the framework works in practice. It is not legal or regulatory advice, and the decision about whether a given container suits a given food application remains the user's. What we commit to is telling you plainly which of the two honest routes your situation needs — including when the cheaper one is fine.
Related pages
One hundred prior products, each with a plain answer
Yes, case by case, no, or never. The “never” column is permanent and no wash programme changes it.
| Prior product | Family | Food-grade eligible? | Programme | Best grade | Seal | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple juice concentrate (70 Bx) | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Best inbound stock we see; sugars rinse clean |
| Orange juice concentrate | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA Viton | Citrus oil fraction can scent the bottle |
| Grape juice concentrate | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Watch for tartrate scale at the outlet |
| Liquid sugar / sucrose syrup | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Hot rinse only, no caustic needed |
| High-fructose corn syrup | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Viscous; 3" outlet helps decanting |
| Molasses | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Heated rinse; heavy heel |
| Honey | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Crystallises; heater jacket recommended |
| Maple sap | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Benign but sugars feed biofilm fast |
| Maple syrup | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Hot rinse; inspect lid seat |
| Apple cider | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Vented lid essential — ferments |
| Wine / must | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Tartrate scale; usually leased |
| Beer / wort | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Stainless preferred for repeat service |
| Brine (pickling liquor) | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA Viton | Check cage for chloride attack |
| Vinegar, 10% | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Easy; acid-resistant seal needed |
| Soy sauce | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA Viton | Salt plus colour; monitor ghosting |
| Edible soybean oil | Food & beverage | Yes | P2 | A | FDA Viton | 140°F minimum or fat re-deposits |
| Edible canola oil | Food & beverage | Yes | P2 | A | FDA Viton | As above |
| Olive oil | Food & beverage | Yes | P2 | A | FDA Viton | Polyphenols can tint the wall |
| Glycerine, USP | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Often effectively first-use stock |
| Propylene glycol, food grade | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Frequently single-product filler stock |
| Liquid egg | Food & beverage | Case by case | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Protein film needs verification |
| Milk / dairy intermediate | Food & beverage | Case by case | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Allergen changeover record required |
| Whey concentrate | Food & beverage | Case by case | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Protein scale; hot detergent |
| Tomato paste | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA Viton | Acidic; stains but rinses |
| Fruit purée | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Pulp load; coarse settling matters |
| Flavour concentrate / essence | Food & beverage | No | Refused | Rebottle | PTFE | Permeates HDPE permanently — use stainless |
| Citrus terpene oil | Food & beverage | Never | Refused | Recycle | PTFE | One batch ends a poly bottle's usefulness |
| Spent grain slurry | Food & beverage | No | P2 | B | EPDM | By-product duty; 3" outlet strongly advised |
| Yeast slurry | Food & beverage | Case by case | P2 | B | EPDM | Vent — active fermentation |
| UAN 32 liquid nitrogen | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Rinses readily; dense — check ratings |
| UAN 28 | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | As above |
| Liquid starter 10-34-0 | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Polyphosphate scale at the outlet |
| Ammonium thiosulphate | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Sulphur odour persists faintly |
| Potassium thiosulphate | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Very dense; 275 format only |
| Calcium nitrate solution | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Crystallises when cold |
| Humic / fulvic acid | Agricultural | Never | P2 | B | EPDM | Dark staining, usually washes out |
| Fish hydrolysate fertiliser | Agricultural | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Odour frequently permanent |
| Foliar micronutrient blend | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Metal salts can tint the wall |
| Glyphosate concentrate | Agricultural | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Labelled rinse programme governs |
| 2,4-D amine concentrate | Agricultural | Never | Refused | Per label | Viton | Label prescribes rinse-and-destroy |
| Crop oil adjuvant | Agricultural | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Attacks EPDM; permeates slowly |
| Surfactant adjuvant (NIS) | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Foams heavily on transfer |
| Molluscicide suspension | Agricultural | Never | Refused | Per label | Viton | Refused — labelled destruction |
| Livestock drinking water | Water & inert | Yes | P1 | A | EPDM | Effectively first-use |
| Irrigation water | Water & inert | Yes | P1 | A | EPDM | May carry silt; coarse settling |
| Sodium hydroxide 50% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | 3,497 lb filled — check every rating |
| Sodium hydroxide 25% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Easy wash; dilute and drain |
| Potassium hydroxide 45% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | As NaOH; dense |
| Sulphuric acid 93% | Industrial chemistry | Never | Refused | Dedicated | PTFE | 4,182 lb filled; dedicated service only |
| Sulphuric acid 35% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | C | PTFE | Fume attack on cage galvanising |
| Hydrochloric acid 31% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | C | PTFE | Cage usually the limiting factor |
| Phosphoric acid 75% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | PTFE | Dense; viscous at low temperature |
| Nitric acid 42% | Industrial chemistry | Never | Refused | Dedicated | PTFE | Oxidiser — embrittles HDPE |
| Hydrogen peroxide 35% | Industrial chemistry | Case by case | P1 | B | PTFE | Vent; absolutely no contaminants |
| Sodium hypochlorite 12% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Degasses; vent and shield from UV |
| Ferric chloride 40% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P2 | C | Viton | Heavy orange staining is permanent |
| Aluminium sulphate | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Scale at the outlet boss |
| Polyaluminium chloride | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Gels if allowed to dry out |
| Propylene glycol coolant | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Ideal duty; nothing to watch |
| Ethylene glycol | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Toxic — never re-grade for potable |
| Calcium chloride brine 32% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | Viton | Chloride attack on lower cage |
| Magnesium chloride de-icer | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | Viton | As above; rinse frames each spring |
| Potassium acetate de-icer | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Benign; airport runway chemistry |
| Urea solution (DEF) | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Purity-critical next fill; usually dedicated |
| Nickel plating solution | Industrial chemistry | Never | Refused | Recycle | Viton | Metal-bearing; never re-used |
| Chromic acid solution | Refused | Never | Refused | Refused | PTFE | Not accepted at the gate |
| Cyanide plating bath | Refused | Never | Refused | Refused | PTFE | Acutely hazardous — licensed facility only |
| Phosphate conversion coating | Industrial chemistry | Never | P2 | C | Viton | Scale and staining |
| Amine corrosion inhibitor | Industrial chemistry | Never | P2 | B | Viton | Fish-like odour can persist |
| Sodium silicate | Industrial chemistry | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Sets hard if dried; wash promptly |
| Polymer flocculant emulsion | Industrial chemistry | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Extremely slippery; gels with water |
| Sodium bisulphite | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Sulphur odour; vent |
| Antifoam silicone emulsion | Industrial chemistry | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Film is very hard to remove |
| Latex paint, white | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Heavy ghosting; often rebottle |
| Latex paint, tinted | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Pigment ghosting permanent |
| Water-based pigment dispersion | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Strong colour transfer into the wall |
| Flexographic ink | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | Rebottle | Viton | Resin binder plasticises the surface |
| UV-curable coating | Coatings & inks | Never | Refused | Recycle | PTFE | Cures in the bottle; not washable |
| Acrylic adhesive emulsion | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | Rebottle | EPDM | Caustic at 180°F, often still ghosts |
| PVA wood adhesive | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Wash before it skins over |
| Polyurethane resin, 2-part | Coatings & inks | Never | Refused | Recycle | PTFE | Cross-linked; nothing shifts it |
| Asphalt emulsion | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Hot caustic plus long dwell |
| Concrete release agent | Coatings & inks | Never | P2 | C | Viton | Oily film; 140°F detergent |
| Mineral oil, hydraulic | Oils & fuels | Never | P3 | B | Viton | Permeation; faint odour often remains |
| Cutting fluid, soluble | Oils & fuels | Never | P3 | B | Viton | Bacterial odour is the real problem |
| Gear oil | Oils & fuels | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Heavy film; two cycles common |
| Used motor oil | Refused | Never | Refused | Recycle | Viton | Waste stream — not accepted for reuse |
| Diesel fuel | Oils & fuels | Never | Refused | Recycle | Viton | Permanent odour; bottle compromised |
| Kerosene | Oils & fuels | Never | Refused | Recycle | Viton | As diesel |
| Biodiesel B100 | Oils & fuels | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Solvency attacks some HDPE grades |
| Vegetable-based lubricant | Oils & fuels | Never | P2 | B | Viton | Oxidises to a varnish if left |
| Anionic surfactant concentrate | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | It is soap — rinses, but foams |
| Non-ionic surfactant | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Easy wash |
| Alkaline degreaser | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Compatible with our own loop |
| Acid descaler | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P1 | B | PTFE | Segregate heel from caustic tanks |
| Quaternary ammonium sanitiser | Cleaning & sanitation | Case by case | P1 | B | EPDM | Residual actives need verification |
| Peracetic acid sanitiser | Cleaning & sanitation | Case by case | P1 | B | PTFE | Oxidiser; vent and shield |
| Hand sanitiser (ethanol 70%) | Cleaning & sanitation | Case by case | P1 | B | Viton | Alcohol flashes off; little residue |
| Laundry detergent, liquid | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Optical brighteners can tint |
| Car wash soap concentrate | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Very common inbound stock |
| Floor finish / wax emulsion | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Films hard; wash before it dries |
| Potable water | Water & inert | Yes | P1 | A | FDA EPDM | Frequently first-use stock |
| Deionised water | Water & inert | Yes | P1 | A | FDA EPDM | Best-value first-use source |
| Distilled water | Water & inert | Yes | P1 | A | FDA EPDM | As above |
| Glycerine, technical | Water & inert | No | P1 | B | EPDM | Technical grade is not food grade |
| Saline solution, industrial | Water & inert | Never | P1 | B | Viton | Chloride; inspect cage |
| Unknown or mixed residue | Refused | Never | Refused | Refused | — | Safety assessment, not a grading question |
| RCRA P-listed residue | Refused | Never | Refused | Refused | — | Licensed treatment facility only |
| Radiological material | Refused | Never | Refused | Refused | — | No testing, no discussion |
| Pesticide, labelled destruction | Refused | Never | Refused | Refused | — | Service life ended by regulation |
Six questions an auditor actually asks
In seventeen years we have never seen an auditor examine a bottle's interior. They ask for a chain of records.
- What did this container previously hold, and who says so? A named product on a signed declaration from the generating site.
- How was it cleaned — at what temperature, with what chemistry, for how long? Our wash record carries all four.
- How do you know the cleaning chemistry is gone? Final-rinse pH and conductivity, recorded per unit.
- Was it pressure tested, and is there a record against this serial? 100% hydrostatic on the food line.
- Are the gaskets and seals compliant for food contact, and can you prove it? Component specification with compliance references.
- What is your changeover procedure between products and allergen classes? This one is yours, and it is where most findings come from.
The documents that answer questions one to five
| Document | What it contains | When you get it |
|---|---|---|
| Written quotation | Unit price by grade, freight as its own line, validity, and the conditions that would change it | Before you order |
| Grade certificate | Assigned grade against our published definitions, per unit serial | With the order |
| Leak & pressure test record | Test pressure, hold time, outcome, per serial | With the order |
| Hydrostatic test certificate | 100% of food-line units, recorded against serial | Food-grade orders |
| Prior-contents declaration | Named last product, generating site, signature | Anything we collected |
| Wash programme record | Bay, programme, temperature, chemistry, cycle time | Reconditioned & contract work |
| Rinse verification | Final-rinse pH and conductivity | Reconditioned & contract work |
| Component specification | Valve, gasket, lid materials with compliance references | Food-grade orders |
| Photograph set | The actual units on the rack before loading | Every order |
| Weight ticket | Certified-scale gross weight and count | Collections and cleanouts |
| Diversion certificate | Unit counts, weights by stream, destination routes, dates | End-of-life batches |
| Certificate of insurance | GL, auto, cargo, workers' comp; additional insured | Before a crew arrives |
| Reconditioner marking detail | Code, date, design type | Re-marked units |
| Lease schedule | Count, grade, dates, weekly rate, return condition, replacement charge | Leases |
FDA and food-safety references, with who each binds
| Reference | Title | What it covers | Who it binds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49 CFR 172.101 | Hazardous materials table | Classification and authorised packaging reference | Shippers |
| 49 CFR 172 Subpart H | Training | Who must be trained, in what, how often, with records | Any hazmat employer |
| 49 CFR 173 | Shippers — general requirements by class | Whether an IBC is authorised for your entry | Shippers |
| 49 CFR 178 Subpart N | IBC design types, testing and marking | What the plate means and how it was earned | Makers, reconditioners |
| 49 CFR 180.352 | Periodic inspection, testing, repair & remanufacture | 2.5-year visual, 5-year leakproofness + full inspection | Owners, shippers |
| 40 CFR 261.7 | RCRA empty containers | When a container counts as empty; P-list triple rinse | Generators |
| 40 CFR 262 | Generator standards | Waste determination, manifesting, accumulation | Generators |
| 21 CFR 177.1520 | Olefin polymers | HDPE compliance for food contact | Food users |
| 21 CFR 177.2600 | Rubber articles for repeated use | Gasket and seal compliance for food contact | Food users |
| 21 CFR 110 / 117 | Good manufacturing practice | Handling, storage, sanitation programmes | Food users |
| NSF/ANSI 61 | Drinking water system components | Potable-contact material evaluation | Water utilities |
| 29 CFR 1910.1200 | Hazard communication | Workplace labelling and safety data sheets | Everyone |
| 29 CFR 1910.146 | Permit-required confined spaces | Entry into tanks and vessels | Anyone cleaning containers |
| 29 CFR 1910.178 | Powered industrial trucks | Forklift operation and certification | Yards and docks |
| ANSI/ITSDF B56.1 | Low-lift and high-lift trucks | Capacity ratings and load centres | Yards and docks |
| ANSI MH16.1 | Steel storage racking | Beam capacity, deflection, inspection | Warehouses |
| PA Title 25 Ch. 95 | Wastewater treatment requirements | Industrial discharge standards in Pennsylvania | Wash lines |
| ISPM-15 | Wood packaging in international trade | Heat treatment and marking of timber pallets | Exporters |
Compliant elastomer selection by product
| Medium | EPDM | Viton (FKM) | Silicone | PTFE | We would fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water, potable & process | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | EPDM |
| Dilute acids (<10%) | Good | Excellent | Fair | Excellent | EPDM |
| Concentrated acids | Poor | Good | Poor | Excellent | PTFE |
| Caustic soda, alkalis | Excellent | Fair | Fair | Excellent | EPDM |
| Liquid fertiliser, UAN | Excellent | Good | Fair | Excellent | EPDM |
| Glycols, coolants, de-icer | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent | EPDM |
| Surfactants, detergents | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent | EPDM |
| Edible oils, fats | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Viton |
| Mineral oils | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Viton |
| Aromatic solvents | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Viton |
| Chlorinated solvents | Poor | Good | Poor | Excellent | Viton / PTFE |
| Ketones (acetone, MEK) | Fair | Poor | Poor | Excellent | PTFE |
| Alcohols | Good | Good | Good | Excellent | EPDM |
| Fuels, diesel, kerosene | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Viton |
| Juice & syrup concentrate | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | FDA EPDM |
| Brine, pickling liquor | Good | Excellent | Fair | Excellent | Viton |
| Hot fill 140–180°F | Fair | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Viton / silicone |
| Hydrogen peroxide (dilute) | Good | Fair | Fair | Excellent | EPDM / PTFE |
| Sodium hypochlorite | Good | Good | Fair | Excellent | EPDM |
| Steam / CIP chemistry | Excellent | Fair | Good | Excellent | EPDM |
| Outdoor weathering & ozone | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent | EPDM |
Wash programmes, including the dedicated food line
| Code | Programme | Temperature | Chemistry | Cycle | Relative cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | Ambient flood rinse | Ambient | Process water, occasional mild alkaline | 90 sec | 1.0× | Water-miscible residues |
| P2 | Hot detergent | 140°F | Alkaline detergent 1.5–2.5% | 3 min | 2.2× | Oils, fats, filming products |
| P3 | Caustic clean-in-place | 160–180°F | NaOH 2–4% + surfactant | 6–9 min | 4.5× | Pigments, latex, resins, heavy concentrates |
| PF | Food line (Bay 1) | 140°F | Alkaline detergent 2% + 100% hydrostatic | 3 min + test | 3.1× | Documented edible prior service |
| Refused | Not accepted | — | — | — | — | Unknown, acute, labelled-destruction, radiological |
Filled weights — food products are often denser than water
| Product | SG | 275 gal filled | 330 gal filled | 550 gal filled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetone | 0.79 | 1,883 lb | 2,273 lb | 3,756 lb |
| Ethanol | 0.79 | 1,883 lb | 2,273 lb | 3,756 lb |
| Kerosene | 0.81 | 1,927 lb | 2,327 lb | 3,845 lb |
| Citrus terpene oil | 0.84 | 1,993 lb | 2,407 lb | 3,978 lb |
| Diesel fuel | 0.85 | 2,016 lb | 2,433 lb | 4,022 lb |
| Mineral oil, hydraulic | 0.88 | 2,082 lb | 2,514 lb | 4,155 lb |
| Biodiesel B100 | 0.88 | 2,082 lb | 2,514 lb | 4,155 lb |
| Concrete release agent | 0.89 | 2,104 lb | 2,540 lb | 4,200 lb |
| Gear oil | 0.90 | 2,126 lb | 2,567 lb | 4,244 lb |
| Canola oil | 0.91 | 2,148 lb | 2,594 lb | 4,289 lb |
| Soybean / olive oil | 0.92 | 2,170 lb | 2,620 lb | 4,333 lb |
| Flavour concentrate | 0.95 | 2,237 lb | 2,700 lb | 4,466 lb |
| Amine corrosion inhibitor | 0.98 | 2,303 lb | 2,780 lb | 4,599 lb |
| Water | 1.00 | 2,347 lb | 2,834 lb | 4,688 lb |
| Antifoam emulsion | 1.00 | 2,347 lb | 2,834 lb | 4,688 lb |
| Quaternary sanitiser | 1.01 | 2,369 lb | 2,860 lb | 4,732 lb |
| Asphalt emulsion | 1.01 | 2,369 lb | 2,860 lb | 4,732 lb |
| Maple sap | 1.02 | 2,391 lb | 2,887 lb | 4,777 lb |
| Non-ionic surfactant | 1.03 | 2,413 lb | 2,914 lb | 4,821 lb |
| Milk / dairy intermediate | 1.03 | 2,413 lb | 2,914 lb | 4,821 lb |
| Car wash soap concentrate | 1.04 | 2,436 lb | 2,941 lb | 4,865 lb |
| Propylene glycol | 1.04 | 2,436 lb | 2,941 lb | 4,865 lb |
| Anionic surfactant | 1.05 | 2,458 lb | 2,967 lb | 4,910 lb |
| Apple cider | 1.05 | 2,458 lb | 2,967 lb | 4,910 lb |
| Spent grain slurry | 1.05 | 2,458 lb | 2,967 lb | 4,910 lb |
| Laundry detergent | 1.06 | 2,480 lb | 2,994 lb | 4,954 lb |
| Flexographic ink | 1.08 | 2,524 lb | 3,047 lb | 5,043 lb |
| Wine / must | 1.08 | 2,524 lb | 3,047 lb | 5,043 lb |
| Acrylic adhesive emulsion | 1.08 | 2,524 lb | 3,047 lb | 5,043 lb |
| Urea solution (DEF) | 1.09 | 2,546 lb | 3,074 lb | 5,087 lb |
| Alkaline degreaser | 1.10 | 2,568 lb | 3,101 lb | 5,132 lb |
| Humic acid | 1.10 | 2,568 lb | 3,101 lb | 5,132 lb |
| Tomato paste | 1.10 | 2,568 lb | 3,101 lb | 5,132 lb |
| Ethylene glycol | 1.11 | 2,590 lb | 3,127 lb | 5,176 lb |
| Peracetic acid sanitiser | 1.12 | 2,612 lb | 3,154 lb | 5,220 lb |
| Fruit purée | 1.12 | 2,612 lb | 3,154 lb | 5,220 lb |
| Hydrogen peroxide 35% | 1.13 | 2,634 lb | 3,181 lb | 5,265 lb |
| Acid descaler | 1.14 | 2,657 lb | 3,207 lb | 5,309 lb |
| Hydrochloric acid 31% | 1.16 | 2,701 lb | 3,261 lb | 5,398 lb |
| Glyphosate concentrate | 1.17 | 2,723 lb | 3,287 lb | 5,442 lb |
| Brine 23% / soy sauce | 1.20 | 2,789 lb | 3,368 lb | 5,575 lb |
| Sodium hypochlorite 12% | 1.21 | 2,811 lb | 3,394 lb | 5,620 lb |
| Phosphate coating | 1.22 | 2,833 lb | 3,421 lb | 5,664 lb |
| Pigment dispersion | 1.25 | 2,900 lb | 3,501 lb | 5,797 lb |
| Nickel plating solution | 1.25 | 2,900 lb | 3,501 lb | 5,797 lb |
| Foliar micronutrient | 1.25 | 2,900 lb | 3,501 lb | 5,797 lb |
| Glycerine | 1.26 | 2,922 lb | 3,528 lb | 5,841 lb |
| Sulphuric acid 35% | 1.26 | 2,922 lb | 3,528 lb | 5,841 lb |
| Sodium hydroxide 25% | 1.27 | 2,944 lb | 3,554 lb | 5,886 lb |
| UAN 28 | 1.28 | 2,966 lb | 3,581 lb | 5,930 lb |
| Potassium acetate de-icer | 1.28 | 2,966 lb | 3,581 lb | 5,930 lb |
| Latex paint | 1.30 | 3,010 lb | 3,634 lb | 6,019 lb |
| UAN 32 fertiliser | 1.32 | 3,054 lb | 3,688 lb | 6,108 lb |
| Magnesium chloride de-icer | 1.32 | 3,054 lb | 3,688 lb | 6,108 lb |
| Liquid sugar / maple syrup | 1.33 | 3,076 lb | 3,715 lb | 6,152 lb |
| Ammonium thiosulphate | 1.33 | 3,076 lb | 3,715 lb | 6,152 lb |
| Aluminium sulphate | 1.33 | 3,076 lb | 3,715 lb | 6,152 lb |
| Juice concentrate (70 Bx) | 1.35 | 3,121 lb | 3,768 lb | 6,241 lb |
| Polyaluminium chloride | 1.35 | 3,121 lb | 3,768 lb | 6,241 lb |
| Liquid starter 10-34-0 | 1.38 | 3,187 lb | 3,848 lb | 6,374 lb |
| High-fructose corn syrup | 1.38 | 3,187 lb | 3,848 lb | 6,374 lb |
| Calcium chloride brine | 1.38 | 3,187 lb | 3,848 lb | 6,374 lb |
| Sodium silicate | 1.39 | 3,209 lb | 3,875 lb | 6,418 lb |
| Molasses / honey | 1.42 | 3,275 lb | 3,955 lb | 6,551 lb |
| Ferric chloride 40% | 1.42 | 3,275 lb | 3,955 lb | 6,551 lb |
| Calcium nitrate solution | 1.43 | 3,297 lb | 3,981 lb | 6,596 lb |
| Potassium hydroxide 45% | 1.46 | 3,364 lb | 4,061 lb | 6,729 lb |
| Potassium thiosulphate | 1.47 | 3,386 lb | 4,088 lb | 6,773 lb |
| Sodium hydroxide 50% | 1.52 | 3,496 lb | 4,222 lb | 6,995 lb |
| Phosphoric acid 75% | 1.58 | 3,629 lb | 4,382 lb | 7,261 lb |
| Sulphuric acid 93% | 1.83 | 4,181 lb | 5,049 lb | 8,370 lb |