一,What does the FGB standard signify in Europe
The German Food and Feed Code is called LFGB. It is a severe set of rules for items that come into contact with food in Europe. When accessing the high-end markets of Germany and some EU nations, most products that come into direct or indirect contact with food, drinks, or drinking water must follow LFGB rules.
In real life, LFGB looks at more than just whether the material is "non-toxic." It also looks at how the material will affect food when it is used in real life. This is also why so many silicone tubes that have passed other food grade testing still don't pass the LFGB test.
二,Does food-grade silicone tubing have to meet LFGB standards
usually refers to silicone items that can be used in places where food comes into contact with them. But whether it meets LFGB standards depends on the exact raw ingredients, formula ratios, production methods, and testing results that follow.
In other words, silicone tubes that meet LFGB standards must be food grade, but not all food grade silicone tubes can pass LFGB tests. In real life, this is easy to forget.
三,Passing LFGB depends on the quality of the raw materials
The LFGB standard says that the purity and stability of raw materials are very important. Food grade silicone hoses that really meet LFGB standards usually use high-purity silicone rubber as their main material and do not employ recycled materials or additives that are not safe for food contact.
If the raw ingredients have parts that aren't stable, they could move or evaporate in places like intense heat, oils, or alcohol, which would change how the dish smells and tastes. This condition might not pass the sensory tests of LFGB, even if it doesn't seem to hurt anyone.
四,How production processes affect LFGB compliance
Even if approved silicone raw materials are used in the actual production process, it could still fail LFGB testing if process control is not in place. For instance:
Not enough time or heat for vulcanisation, or leftover low molecular weight compoundsPoor management of the production environment causes pollution to happen again.Irregular surface treatment raises the probability of migration.
food-grade silicone tubes that can pass LFGB testing consistently usually originate from companies that have well-established production methods and good quality management systems, not only from the raw materials themselves looking good.
五,What aspects does LFGB testing focus on
The tests that LFGB uses are more like real-world situations than those used by other food grade standards. Some common testing focusses are:Overall movement in different types of simulated food mediaDoes it let out volatile substancesDoes it change how food smells and tastesPerformance of stability under high-temperature circumstances
Odour and taste testing are part of sensory evaluation, which means that silicone tubes have to meet very high standards for both their formulation and their process. This is one reason why LFGB is thought to be "difficult."
六,Actual differences between LFGB and FDA standards
In international trade, the FDA regulations are more common in North America, whereas the LFGB norms are more common in Europe. The two are very different in terms of posture.
The FDA is more concerned with whether materials can be used for food contact, while the LFGB is more concerned with how materials affect food after being in touch with it for a long time.certain food-grade silicone tubes that have passed the FDA still need to be tested by the LFGB before they can be sold in Europe.Based on my experience, LFGB silicone tubing is usually safer and more stable.
七,Which application scenarios require LFGB compliant silicone tubing more
Customers frequently want food grade silicone tubing to meet LFGB standards in the following situations:
Equipment for making drinks and dairyThe pipes inside the coffee maker and water filterTools and equipment for making baby and child foodInternal fluid system for high-end kitchen appliances
In these situations, silicone tubes usually need to come in contact with food or drinking water for a long time and many times. Any problems with migration or smell will have a direct impact on the quality of the final product.
八,How can you tell if silicone tubing really meets LFGB standards
The best way for the buyer to tell is not to look at the promotional description, but to see if there is a real and full third-party LFGB testing report.
It is also important to make sure that the report matches the specific product model and material system to avoid the problem of "there is a report, but the products don't match."
