Is Galvanized Steel Food Safe

4 101 15 galvanized metal use limitation galvanized metal may not be used for utensils or food contact surfaces of equipment that are.

Is galvanized steel food safe.

Department of health and human services 1997 food code galvanized metal may not be used for utensils or food contact surfaces of equipment that are used in contact with acidic food. This information from oar food sanitation rules page 46. The food and drug association fda has approved the use of galvanized steel for food preparation and conveyance for all applications with the exception of foods that have a high acid content such as tomatoes oranges limes and other fruits. This coating contains zinc which can be toxic when consumed.

Only acidic foods should not come in contact with galvanized steel according the the u s. Cooking utensils and storage containers are commonly not made of galvanized steel. In food usage galvanized metals are less common for cooking and more common for storage containers. Foods with low acidity do not react with the galvanized steel and according to the usda are safe to serve on galvanized steel.

The galvanizing process creates a coating to the metal that prohibits rust. According to the u s. As zinc is heated to high temperatures it can off gas into food and the surrounding air. This makes it unwise to use for cooking vessels.

When acidic foods are stored in galvanized utensils or when food is cooked in galvanized containers toxic amounts of zinc sometimes enter the food. The acid in some foods reacts with the zinc coating to form salts that are readily absorbed by the body and in excess could cause a very mild sickness. Like tomatoes pickles fish and fruit juices. For most foods contact with galvanized steel is perfectly safe.

Food drug administration. Galvanized metal containers are not considered safe for cooking or storage of food.