FDA-Approved O-Rings for Food Contact Applications

What is the FDA?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a U.S. regulatory agency responsible for setting strict standards for products that come into contact with food and drinking water. The FDA ensures the safety, hygiene, and quality of food, medications, and medical devices. When it comes to sealing systems and gaskets used in food production, the FDA strictly limits the chemical composition of rubber compounds to approved substances.

FDA-Compliant Materials

Materials approved by the FDA for food-grade applications are known for their chemical compatibility, durability, and resistance. Commonly used FDA-grade materials include:

Silicone (VMQ / MVQ)

Food-grade silicone O-rings can withstand extreme temperatures, typically ranging from -60°C to +225°C. These seals are odourless and tasteless, suitable for sterilisation, and are widely used in food processing and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Silicone rubber offers excellent resistance to heat, ozone, corona discharge, discolouration, and various oils and solvents. Silicone O-rings maintain flexibility even at low temperatures.

At Power Rubber, we supply FDA-certified silicone O-rings (VMQ / MVQ) ideal for use in food and beverage production lines, as well as in pharmaceutical and medical sectors.

Nitrile (NBR)

Also known as Buna-N, NBR rubber O-rings offer excellent abrasion resistance and high tensile strength. FDA-grade nitrile is ideal for food applications involving oils or fats. NBR seals can operate in temperatures from -35°C to +110°C, depending on hardness (40 to 90 Shore A). They are impact-resistant and maintain flexibility during temperature fluctuations, making them suitable for dairy and food processing, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

EPDM

EPDM O-rings are known for their outstanding chemical resistance. If you're looking for a sealing solution that performs well in steam applications or high-humidity food environments, EPDM rubber is a solid choice. These O-rings are resistant to ageing, hot water, steam, UV exposure, and a variety of industrial lubricants and cleaning agents. EPDM seals are used in food manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, and cosmetics.

Neoprene

Neoprene O-rings are oil-resistant, ozone-resistant, and highly durable. These gaskets are commonly used in refrigeration systems and in the transport and storage of food products.

Viton / FKM / FPM

Viton O-rings offer exceptional resistance to high temperatures and aggressive chemicals. They do not absorb water and are highly resistant to weathering, ozone, hydraulic fluids, fuels, and mineral oils, making them ideal for demanding food-grade sealing applications.

FFKM (Kalrez)

FFKM O-rings provide top-tier chemical and thermal resistance and perform well in steam environments. These premium elastomeric seals offer extended service life in harsh conditions and are ideal for pharmaceutical, dairy, biomedical, and food processing sectors.

FEP / PFA Encapsulated O-Rings

Encapsulated O-rings feature a chemically inert PTFE (Teflon) outer jacket with a core made from silicone, FKM, or EPDM. These gaskets are highly resistant to chemicals and solvents and are widely used in food production, packaging, processing, and storage. FEP encapsulated seals are commonly used in both food and pharmaceutical applications.

Food-Grade O-Rings – Key Considerations

What Does "Food-Grade O-Ring" Mean?

A food-grade O-ring is a seal designed to safely come into contact with food products during processing, packaging, or storage. These gaskets must be certified and manufactured from materials that do not affect the taste, odour, or safety of food. They must meet high standards of purity, chemical resistance, and durability.

At Power Rubber, we offer a broad selection of rubber compounds, including O-rings, rotary shaft seals, sheets, cords, and other FDA-approved solutions designed for safe contact with food and beverages. If you're unsure which seal to choose, we’re here to help you select the ideal solution.

Properties of FDA-Approved O-Rings

O-rings and sealing systems intended for food contact must meet stringent FDA requirements. These seals must be:

• Odourless and tasteless

• Chemically compatible and non-toxic

• Safe for contact with food and beverages

• Resistant to extreme temperatures, steam, and aggressive chemicals

• Naturally resistant to bacterial growth and fungal contamination

• Non-staining and non-allergenic

When you purchase food-grade O-rings from Power Rubber, you can be confident that your food will remain uncontaminated and safe.

Available Materials at Power Rubber

We supply FDA-compliant O-rings made from EPDM, NBR, silicone, FFKM, and FEP/PFA encapsulated in PTFE. Choosing a reliable supplier is essential — and with years of experience, Power Rubber provides high-quality O-rings tailored to the specific food substances, temperatures, and hygiene standards required.

We carefully match the material to the application, whether your process involves water, acids, oils, or steam. Our seamless O-rings help prevent product build-up and bacterial growth. All seals are tested for performance in a wide range of conditions and comply with strict international quality standards.

Need help choosing the right food-grade O-rings?
Contact our experts at +48 22 292 40 24 or +48 505 160 303, email us at Power@PowerRubber.com, or use our contact form. We're here to help!