What is food-grade stainless steel?

Food safety is the highest priority for consumers and producers alike. When you think of food production, stainless steel may not be something that typically comes to mind, but perhaps it should. 

Stainless steel plays a crucial part in the production and safety of our food. In the food processing industry, stainless steel is used throughout the entire process from harvesting, handling, and storing, to cooking and serving. About 200,000 tons of stainless steel is used each year by the food processing industry in North America alone.

To be recognized as stainless steel, the composition must have a minimum of 10.5% chromium content by mass and a maximum of 1.2% carbon by mass. 

What is stainless steel?

Stainless steel is a combination of metals, also known as an alloy. Resistant to tarnishing and rust, stainless steel is made of some of the most basic elements found on Earth: iron ore, chromium, silicon, carbon, nitrogen, and manganese. 

To be recognized as stainless steel, the composition must have a minimum of 10.5% chromium content by mass and a maximum of 1.2% carbon by mass. Chromium is the element that gives stainless steel its famous corrosion resistance. Contrary to its name, stainless steel is not truly stainless; the chromium helps it to withstand abuse for much longer before showing signs of wear compared to standard steel without chromium. 

There are more than 57 types of stainless steel recognized as standard alloys, in addition to many proprietary alloys produced by different stainless steel manufacturers. These different types are distinguished by their unique composition. 

Why is stainless steel used in the food industry?

For many sanitary food handling applications, stainless steel is a popular material choice. Not only can food-grade stainless steel stand up to harsh temperatures that would melt plastic, the material’s protective oxide layer helps prevent the formation of rust that could contaminate foods. Perhaps the most important reason is that food-grade stainless steel contains no chemicals that can migrate into foods.

Additional benefits of using stainless steel in the food industry include:

• Corrosion resistance: Stainless steel is especially resistant to corrosion and rusting compared to other metals, which makes it perfect for use in the kitchen. Food-grade stainless steel is often used for kitchen equipment, which can be costly to install. But, because most grades of stainless steel are highly corrosion-resistant, the equipment does not need to be replaced as frequently.
• Strength: Food-grade stainless steel is extremely strong, making it an excellent material to use in heavy-duty equipment or in shelving for storage areas.
• Ease of cleaning: Other materials, such as wood or plastic, have grooves or openings where bacteria can invade and grow. Stainless steel is smooth and doesn't provide a place for bacteria to hide, allowing it to be easily cleaned. When cleaning stainless steel, it is important to always use a food-grade stainless steel cleaner. 
• Non-reactive surface: Stainless steel is a non-reactive metal, which means that you can use it to cook foods that are acidic, such as citrus, tomatoes, and vinegar. Other metals, like aluminum and iron, are reactive. Cooking acidic foods in these metals may affect the flavor of the food, typically adding a metallic flavor, and can damage the surface of the metal.
• Cost: When properly cared for and maintained, stainless steel has low maintenance costs. (Link: How to Properly Maintain)

Manufacturers in the food industry must follow very strict guidelines set by federal governing bodies to prevent product contamination. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, to be considered food-safe, a material must meet several conditions, it must:

• Be “durable, corrosion-resistant, and nonabsorbent”
• Possess sufficient “weight and thickness to withstand repeated warewashing”
• Be “finished to have a smooth, easily cleanable surface”
• Resist “pitting, chipping, crazing, scratching, scoring, distortion, and decomposition”
• Prevent the migration of “deleterious substances” or “impart colors, odors, or tastes” to food

Exploring the Two Most Common Types of Stainless Steel

Just because stainless steel is labeled “food safe” does not mean that it is the right material for your facility or production process. There are many different types of food-grade stainless steel, each containing different compositions and properties. The two most common types are 304 and 316L. 

304 Stainless Steel

Also known as “18-8” stainless steel, because it contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, 304 is the most common stainless steel used around the world. It accounts for more than 50% of all stainless steel produced. Cheaper than 316L, 304 is an economical and practical choice for most environments. 

304 can withstand corrosion from most oxidizing acids. This durability makes it easy to sanitize, and therefore ideal for many kitchen and food applications. It also has good forming and welding properties, allowing it to be manufactured into a variety of shapes. 

Common uses for 304 stainless steel include brewing, milk processing, and winemaking. It is also found in most refrigerators, stoves, sinks, dishwashers, fermentation vats, and storage tanks and can withstand corrosion caused by various chemicals found in fruits, meats, and milk. One of 304’s biggest weaknesses is its susceptibility to corrosion from chloride solutions, or from saline environments such as saltwater. 

Food and beverage storage tanks are often made from 304 stainless steel due to their ability to withstand corrosion.

316L Stainless Steel

With an almost identical composition to 304, the second most common stainless steel, 316L,  contains 16% chromium, 10% nickel, and 2% molybdenum. The additional element, molybdenum, is the key to increasing resistance to corrosion. Molybdenum helps the metal resist pitting (a form of corrosion that leads to the creation of small holes in metal) in chloride ion solutions and increases strength at high temperatures. 

316L is more commonly found in applications involving chemical processing, highly sterile factory environments, medical and pharmaceutical production as well as high salinity environments such as coastal regions. Although typically more expensive than 304, this additional cost can be justified by 316L’s extra resistance to corrosion, enabling it to last much longer than 304 stainless steel in these applications.

In food processing facilities, the ability to sanitize thoroughly is essential for safety. Stainless steel can be easily cleaned and can withstand repeated washing with many chemicals and detergents.

Selecting the right stainless steel

It is difficult to distinguish between 304 and 316L visually; however, the composition makes all the difference. Selecting the correct stainless steel for your operation is vital to safe production and cost efficiency. Deciding what stainless steel will work best for you ultimately depends on the application.

304 stainless steel may be a better choice if:

• The application requires unique formability - 304 has good forming and welding properties.
• The application involves cost concerns - 304 is more affordable. 

316L stainless steel may be a better choice if:

• The application includes highly corrosive elements such as salt.
• The material will be placed underwater or exposed to water consistently.
• The application requires greater strength and hardness.

According to the 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc: 

3-A Sanitary Standards Inc. (SSI) formulates standards and accepted practices for the sanitary design, fabrication, installation, and cleanability of dairy and food equipment or systems used to handle, process, and package consumable products where a high degree of sanitation is required. The goal of 3-A SSI is to protect consumable products from contamination and to ensure that all products can be mechanically (CIP) cleaned or easily dismantled for manual cleaning. For manufacturers, such as Dixon, this means using high-quality materials and equipment to produce products. Dixon Sanitary fittings are 3-A SSI certified.

Dixon manufactures and distributes a full line of 304 and 316L stainless steel products, including tubing, valves, and pumps used in the food, dairy, beverage, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial markets. Dixon’s newest stainless steel products include centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, which are used in the poultry processing industry.

Learn more about our products and get help selecting the right stainless steel for your application at www.dixonvalve.com or

Retention of corrosion-resistant qualities under processing conditions requires regular attention. Learn more: