What is food-grade silicone tubing and what is it made from?

Food-grade silicone tubing is manufactured from silicon, carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, creating a high-purity, flexible material without harmful additives like BPA or BPS. It is non-toxic, odorless, tasteless, and chemically inert, making it safe for direct contact with food and beverages. The material meets FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 standards for rubber articles that come into contact with food.

What temperature range can food-grade silicone tubing withstand?

Food-grade silicone tubing is compatible with operating conditions between -80°F (-60°C) and 450°F (230°C). This wide temperature range means it can withstand high-temperature processes, steam cleaning, and sterilization procedures, as well as low-temperature operations for refrigerated foods like dairy products. Due to its high-temperature resistance, it can be sterilized using autoclaving, gamma rays, or ETO techniques.

What is NSF-51 certification and why is it important?

NSF-51 standards outline the specifications for materials that will come into contact with food or drinking water, such as silicone tubing and gaskets. For food and beverage manufacturers, sourcing NSF-51 certified materials is essential to ensure full compliance with food safety regulations and public health sanitation requirements. Vanguard Products is an NSF-51 certified manufacturer offering products that are safe for direct contact with food and beverages.

What are the key benefits of using silicone tubing in food processing?

Food-grade silicone tubing offers multiple benefits including chemical resistance to acids and cleaning agents, flexibility and durability with resistance to kinks and aging, hygienic properties with a smooth surface that resists bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, non-reactive and safe composition free from BPA and BPS, and excellent temperature resistance from -80°F to 450°F. The material maintains its elasticity and shape for extended periods while preventing food or chemical absorption.

What are common applications for food-grade silicone tubing?

NSF-51 certified silicone tubing is used throughout food and beverage manufacturing including beverage production for transferring liquids, food processing for transporting diverse food products, high-temperature processes up to 450°F including steam sterilization, low-temperature operations down to -80°F for refrigerated dairy products, and water purification applications. The tubing is available in standard and custom sizes to accommodate various manufacturing needs.

What certifications does Vanguard Products hold for food-grade manufacturing?

Vanguard Products is an NSF-51 certified manufacturer and has been a trusted source of FDA-compliant silicone food processing components since 1966. The company is ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 10993 certified, ensuring high-quality products through specially selected raw materials. In addition to food-grade tubing, Vanguard manufactures gaskets and seals according to global food safety regulations.

December 2025 - Vanguard Products Corporation

Archive: Dec 2025

Silicone Tubing in the Food & Beverage Industry

December 2, 2025 4:32 am Comments Off

Food and beverage processing and manufacturing requires non-toxic, flexible tubing to transport liquids, sauces, and syrups throughout processing plants and packaging lines. As an inert material with several performance advantages, food-grade silicone is the preferred material for these applications. Not only is it resistant to most chemicals, bacterial adhesion, and extreme temperatures, it also meets […]

The Critical Role of EMI Shielding in Medical Devices and Applications

12:01 am Comments Off

It’s easy to overlook something that can’t be seen. However, in hospitals, invisible electromagnetic interference (EMI) can be the difference between accurate data and dangerous errors. Today’s hospitals rely heavily on digital technology, including imaging, monitoring systems, life-support, and communication networks. As that dependency grows, so does the risk of interference between electronic devices. Just […]

Archive: Month: December 2025

Archive: Dec 2025

Silicone Tubing in the Food & Beverage Industry

The Critical Role of EMI Shielding in Medical Devices and Applications