Food Grade Silicone Rubber Tubing Manufacturer

A silicone tube manufacturer & factory dedicated to producing precision custom silicone products for 12 years.

Food Industry

Definition of food silicone tube

Food grade silicone tubing is a type of conveyance hose specifically designed for applications in food processing, beverage production, pharmaceuticals, and medical fields.

Food grade silicone tubing is made from high-purity silicone rubber and is primarily used for transporting liquid, gaseous, or semi-solid food substances. Emphasizing safety, hygiene, and durability, it ensures no release of harmful substances or off-odors when in contact with food. Compared to standard industrial silicone tubing, its materials undergo rigorous purification and testing, making it suitable for high-temperature sterilization, cleaning, and long-term use scenarios.

Relevant Standards

Food safe silicone tubing must comply with numerous international and national standards to ensure its compliance for food contact. The following is a summary of the main standards:

Standard Type	Standard Name/Number	Key Requirements	Applicable Region/Agency
National Standard (GB)	GB 4806.6	Specifies hygiene and safety requirements for food-contact rubber materials, including migration limits, heavy metal content, and sensory testing, ensuring no release of harmful substances.	China
U.S. Standard (FDA)	FDA 21 CFR 177.2600	Regulations for the safety of rubber materials in food contact, emphasizing non-toxicity and heat resistance.	United States
European Standard (LFGB)	LFGB (Food, Tobacco, Cosmetics and Other Commodities Act)	Core food hygiene regulation covering material purity, chemical stability, and pollutant limits.	EU / Germany
Pharmacopoeia Standard (USP)	USP Class VI	Tests for biocompatibility and toxicology, applicable to medical and pharmaceutical grade silicone tubes.	International / U.S. Pharmacopeia
Food Equipment Material Standard	NSF/ANSI 51	For equipment handling drinking water and food processing. Evaluates sanitary performance, structural integrity, and durability to ensure products (e.g., food-grade water conduits) do not release harmful substances and safeguard drinking water safety.	USA / NSF International
Quality Certification	ISO 9001	Certification for production process management and hygiene, ensuring overall quality control.	International

Key Features

Food grade silicone tube possesses the following key characteristics:

Safety

Non-toxic, odorless, and contamination-free, complying with food contact material requirements. It does not react with acidic, alkaline, or oily substances.

Durability

Resistant to high temperatures (typically ranging from -50°C to 200°C), chemical corrosion, abrasion, and oil. Suitable for dynamic stress environments.

Hygienic Properties

Features a smooth inner wall that is easy to clean, preventing bacterial adhesion and clogging. High transparency allows for easy visual monitoring of the conveyed medium.

Performance Parameters

Common test indicators include hardness (Shore A 30-80), viscosity, tear strength, tensile strength, and elongation at break. These parameters ensure the tubing's stability and reliability in food production applications.

Key Benefits of Silicone Tube in Food & Beverage Processing

Food grade silicone tubes are highly valued in the food and beverage industry primarily for their exceptional safety, ability to withstand extreme temperatures, and outstanding durability. These properties make them a reliable choice for everything from transferring ingredients to cleaning processes.

Benefit Category	Key Advantages	Practical Application in F&B Processing
Safety & Compliance	Non-toxic, odorless, tasteless; complies with FDA, LFGB, GB 4806.16-2025 standards.	Safely transports a wide range of products like juices, dairy, beer, and wine without altering taste or odor.
Extreme Temperature Resistance	Withstands temperatures from -60°C to 250°C.	Suitable for high-temperature sterilization and hot filling, as well as low-temperature storage and transfer.
Durability & Performance	Excellent flexibility, anti-aging, UV/ozone resistant, good tear and tensile strength.	Long service life; maintains performance in demanding environments, including those with cleaning chemicals.
Hygiene & Cleanability	Smooth inner surface prevents bacterial growth; easy to clean and can be sterilized.	Ideal for sanitary processing; allows for easy cleaning and sterilization without residue retention.
Chemical Stability	Chemically inert; resistant to oils, fats, and various chemicals without reaction.	Compatible with diverse products including alcoholic beverages, oils, and acidic or alkaline liquids.

Food Grade Silicone Tube: Application Scenarios

Food grade hoses are the preferred choice in many industries due to their excellent safety profile and adaptability to extreme environments. The table below summarizes their primary application scenarios.

	Food & Beverage Transfer: Ideal for conveying a wide range of consumables like juices, dairy, oils, and alcoholic drinks in processing and dispensing.
	Pharmaceutical & Biotech Processes: Used in sterile fluid transfer lines for pharmaceuticals, high-purity media, and medical equipment due to its inertness.
	Cosmetics Manufacturing: Safely transports various cosmetic products such as lotions, creams, and serums during production.
	Baby & Mother Products: Commonly found in baby bottle straws, food squeezers, and sippy cups for its safety and non-toxicity.
	Industrial & Specialty Uses: Serves as protective sleeving for electrical components and conduit for non-hazardous fluids in machinery.