The importance of food safe protective coatings to protect equipment cannot be understated.
All companies that produce food items at a large scale (from cereal to breakfast buns and beyond) know that they need a lot of equipment to support their production.
That equipment is a substantial financial investment and includes things like moulds, baking trays, mixing vessels, rotating pans and drums, rollers, steam plungers, and beyond.
Protecting these critical pieces of food industry equipment with food safe coatings is important because it allows your business to maximize efficiency, streamline preparation and cleaning, and ultimately, help your business scale and grow.
We work with protective coating manufacturers worldwide that have created a wide range of coating products for various industries, including the food industry. With so many options, how do you know which coating is right for your needs?
This blog post will explore IPC System 5 (Teflon™ PFA), a food-safe protective coating that is relied on by businesses around the world.
Searching For The Right Protective Coating For Your Food Industry Cookware?
IPC System 5 is a food safe protective coating made up of a primer and topcoat that gives your cookware a durable and nonstick surface.
The Benefits of IPC System 5 are numerous. Not only has it helped our clients in the food industry protect their equipment, but in some cases, it has also supported their ability to scale their projects and up production.
IPC System 5 Teflon Protective Coatings are extremely temperature resistant and will stay intact in temperatures of up to 600° F.
Because IPC System 5 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 2000 V/mil and has high surface resistivity, we can even produce specialty coatings that have an anti-static effect.
IPC System 5 Benefits For Food Industry Equipment
What are the main reasons for using protective coatings such as Teflon (PFA) – IPC System 5 to protect equipment in the food industry and what are their most important features?
#1 Nonstick Surface: PFA provides a highly effective nonstick surface, which is crucial in food processing and handling. This property minimizes the chances of food sticking to surfaces, making it easier to clean equipment and preventing product wastage.
#2 Easy Cleaning: The nonstick nature of PFA coatings facilitates easy cleaning and reduces the need for harsh cleaning agents. This is particularly important in the food industry, where hygiene standards are strict, and frequent cleaning is necessary.
#3 Chemical Resistance: PFA is known for its resistance to a wide range of chemicals. This characteristic is valuable in the food industry, where various food products and cleaning agents may come into contact with coated surfaces. The coating helps protect equipment from corrosive substances.
#4 Temperature Stability: PFA coatings can withstand a broad temperature range, from low to high temperatures. This is important in food processing, where equipment may be exposed to extreme temperatures during cooking, baking, or cleaning processes.
#5 FDA Compliance: PFA coatings are often compliant with regulations set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food contact materials. This ensures that the coatings are safe for use in food processing and do not pose a risk to human health.
#6 Durability: PFA coatings are durable and can withstand wear and tear, extending the lifespan of equipment in the food industry. This durability is essential for maintaining efficient and reliable food processing operations.
In summary, the nonstick properties, easy cleaning, chemical resistance, temperature stability, FDA compliance, and durability of PFA make it a preferred choice for various applications in the food industry, where maintaining cleanliness, product integrity, and safety are top priorities.
Why Finding a Reliable and Food Safe Protective Coating Matters
Food and beverage production companies know better than anyone that finding a reliable protective coating for your equipment is paramount.
The coating you choose must comply with various Canadian regulations including the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and Safe Food for Canadians Act.
You also need to know the coating you choose is reliable, non-toxic, and will protect your customers — even when pitting or damage occurs.
It is also important to note that IPC System 5 offers a hydrophobic and nonporous finish product that is unmatched by other less durable coating products on the market.
For our clients who operate some of the largest food production facilities in the country, this ensures they can rely on their equipment to stay resilient and not absorb harmful contaminants that could otherwise be toxic to their customers.
Which Protective Coatings Are Considered Food Safe in Canada?
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have strict standards that regulate the equipment used to make and ship food.
They look at the processes involved in food production and then evaluate it based on things such as temperature resistance or friction coefficient.
For example, if you are baking products in an oven, the CFIA will evaluate the coating based on its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures over a long period.
The type of food being cooked is also considered.
For example, certain foods such as grains or processed meats will need to be cooked on equipment that is protected by a strong chemically resistant coating that can withstand corrosion and damage from the acidity, fats, oils, etc. in the food.
While numerous coating products are considered food grade, one of the most trusted choices is polytetrafluoroethylene coatings (PTFE) such as IPC System 5 because of their non-stick, temperature resistant, liquid resistant, and low friction coefficient properties.
Food Safe Protective Coatings at IPC
IPC is proud to be a top coating provider recognized worldwide for having some of the strongest quality assurance systems in place. That is why the biggest global brands in the food industry have chosen us to protect their equipment.
Our superior protective coating products for food industry equipment prevent corrosion, plugging, and sticking while adhering to strict standards.
Not only is the IPC System 5 Teflon product extremely durable, but we have seen proven results that choosing it as your protective coating solution leads to less maintenance and equipment replacement costs over time.
That equates to major savings for our clients and the peace of mind of knowing their operations are safe and can run at scale for years to come.
Get a Free Consultation For Your Next Project
Are you looking to find the right coating product for your business or an upcoming project? Book a free consultation with one of our in-house qualified professional engineers who can assist with technical details and help you find the right solution for your needs.
Our APEGA and AMPP Certified Experts not only provide support in coating and material recommendations, but they can also provide insight into various products and coating methods to ensure you make the right choice. Call +1 800-856-4959 or contact us online today.
