Safety and Quality Control in Food-Grade Injection Molding
Food-grade injection molding is widely used in the food industry, and products directly or indirectly come into contact with food. Therefore, safety and quality control are of paramount importance.
1. Material Selection and Certification
Materials Compliant with Food Contact Standards: Choose plastics that meet food contact standards, such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), ensuring they are non-toxic, odorless, and harmless.
Certification and Testing: Use materials certified by authorities such as FDA and EU 10/2011 to ensure compliance with global food safety regulations.
2. Process Control
Precise Temperature and Pressure Control: Strictly monitor parameters like temperature and pressure during the injection molding process to prevent material degradation or the formation of harmful substances.
Prevention of Secondary Contamination: Regularly clean equipment and the workshop environment to prevent contamination from dust, grease, or other pollutants.
3. Mold Design and Maintenance
Food-Grade Mold Materials: Use corrosion-resistant, easy-to-clean stainless steel molds to ensure surfaces are free of cracks and dead angles and avoid material residue.
Regular Maintenance and Care: Inspect and clean molds periodically to prevent wear or contamination that could impact product quality.
4. Production Environment and Hygiene Management
Cleanroom Facilities: Food-grade injection molding must be conducted in cleanrooms, where air quality, humidity, and temperature must meet the required standards.
Personnel Management: To minimize human contamination, operators should wear dust-free clothing, gloves, and other protective gear and undergo food safety training.
5. Quality Inspection and Traceability
Online Monitoring: Use real-time online inspection equipment to monitor the dimensions, appearance, and performance of products, ensuring batch consistency.
Batch Traceability System: Establish a comprehensive traceability system to record the production process and material sources of each batch, facilitating issue tracking and recall if necessary.
