In the food processing, beverage production, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and medical device industries, food-grade plastic balls are widely used in valve seals, mixing equipment, agitators, flow control devices, nozzle systems, and more. Their lightweight, corrosion resistance, non-rusting nature, and low noise make them ideal for these applications. However, because they directly or indirectly contact food or drugs, their safety and reliability must be ensured through strict testing standards.

This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of testing standards for food-grade plastic balls, covering material safety, physical and chemical properties, mechanical performance, migration and dissolution, regulatory certifications, and industry-specific requirements.

1. Material Safety Testing

The raw materials for food-grade plastic balls must meet international food-contact safety regulations. Common materials include:

• PP (Polypropylene): High temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, lightweight.

• POM (Polyoxymethylene): High strength, wear resistance, excellent dimensional stability.

• PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene): Chemically inert, excellent temperature tolerance.

• PE (Polyethylene): Non-toxic, impact resistant, suitable for low-temperature use.

Common material safety standards:

• FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) compliance: Ensures no harmful substances migrate into food.

• EU 10/2011 (European food-contact materials regulation): Limits on plasticizers, heavy metals, and specific migration substances.

• GB 4806 series (China’s national food-contact material standards): Covers plastic raw materials, additives, and finished products.

• LFGB (Germany’s Food, Commodities, and Feed Code): Strict limits on migration levels, widely recognized in Europe.

2. Physical and Chemical Performance Testing

To ensure long-term stability, food-grade plastic balls must undergo:

• High and low temperature resistance: Ensures no deformation or cracking at high steam sterilization temperatures (121°C) or low freezing temperatures (-40°C).

• Chemical resistance: Tests against acids, alkalis, oils, alcohols, and food ingredients to prevent degradation.

• Water absorption rate: Low absorption prevents swelling and loss of precision.

• UV resistance: Prevents aging from prolonged light exposure in transparent or outdoor applications.

3. Mechanical Performance Testing

In food machinery, plastic balls are often exposed to high-speed operation and frequent impacts. Key tests include:

• Hardness (Shore D or Rockwell): Ensures wear resistance and scratch resistance.

• Impact strength: Prevents breakage and contamination from fragments.

• Dimensional accuracy and roundness: Tight tolerances (±0.01mm) ensure precise sealing and flow control.

• Dynamic balance: Reduces noise and vibration, prolonging equipment life.

4. Migration and Dissolution Testing

This is the core safety evaluation for food-grade materials:

• Overall Migration Limit (OML): Total amount of substances migrating into food simulants, within legal limits (e.g., 10 mg/dm²).

• Specific Migration Limit (SML): Tests for heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel) or chemicals (BPA, formaldehyde).

• Dissolution analysis: Ensures no harmful release under heat, acidic, or oily conditions.

5. Third-Party Certifications and Test Reports

To enter global markets and build trust, third-party certification is essential:

• SGS

• TÜV Rheinland

• Intertek

• NSF (National Sanitation Foundation)

These reports prove compliance with target market regulations and help shorten purchasing decision times.

6. Industry-Specific Requirements

Different industries may require additional tests:

• Beverage filling lines: CO₂ pressure resistance, carbonation corrosion prevention.

• Dairy processing: Resistance to lactic acid and high-temperature sterilization.

• Pharmaceutical: USP Class VI biocompatibility.

• Cosmetics: Resistance to alcohols and fragrances, preventing odor absorption.

Conclusion

Testing standards for food-grade plastic balls cover material safety, durability, precision, and chemical stability. At our company, we manage the entire quality process—from raw material selection → production control → in-house testing → third-party certification—ensuring every plastic ball meets or exceeds industry and regulatory requirements for food safety, precision, and durability.