Is Pla Filament Food Safe

You can consider it a food safe filament or food grade 3d printer filament.

Is pla filament food safe. Pla can however get contaminated by a printer s hot ends. The pla filaments from makerbot are even colored with fda approved food safe dyes making them comprehensively food safe. If you can check the msds of the filament you re using. Pla might be just fine.

The study found that pla is generally recognized as safe gras when used in contact with food. Pet 3d printing filament is a clear thermoplastic. Our food safe pla is unique because we have specifically taken all necessary steps and measures to ensure that food safety is a key component in the production of this filament. From fda approved raw materials including food safe color pigments and additives to a clean manufacturing facility good manufacturing practices batch trace ability post extrusion testing segregated storage and conformity certification.

However it s a bit more complicated than that. The answer is it depends. Pla is quite popular in the 3d printing field mostly because it is acquired from consumable goods. The findings revealed that pla is generally regarded as safe when used with food.

Some manufacturers will blend in other additives for color strength or other features that make the filament unsafe to ingest. Lactic acid is a common food ingredient that is even found in breast milk. Pla being manufactured from plant material such as corn is probably the most popular food safe filament material. The material is not spared from the unfavorable facts concerning food safe 3d printing.

In addition the coloring in pla signifies the presence of an additive that is not food safe. Natural pla is made from corn starch and is generally considered food safe. Pet makes a good material for food containers or any 3d project that will come in contact with food. Their summary concluded that pla releases a small amount of lactic acid into foods.

The potent mix of chemicals and heat used when printing and processing pla pose a health danger. Food safe 3d printing filaments include pla pp co polyester pet pet g hips and nylon 6 as well as some brands of abs asa and pei. I m sure that there are other options as well but those are what are listed at one site. Another concern is that pla 3d printed materials have tiny holes and cracks that can accommodate harmful germs and bacteria.

Meanwhile petg has the same chemical composition as pet but with the addition of glycol making it a whole new plastic.