Is Galvanized Steel Food Safe

As zinc is heated to high temperatures it can off gas into food and the surrounding air.

Is galvanized steel food safe. Food drug administration. The galvanizing process creates a coating to the metal that prohibits rust. Only acidic foods should not come in contact with galvanized steel according the the u s. Like tomatoes pickles fish and fruit juices.

Galvanized metal is not safe for cooking or storing food. According to the u s. However galvanized steel does not meet usda food safe serving standards for acidic foods. This coating contains zinc which can be toxic when consumed.

In food usage galvanized metals are less common for cooking and more common for storage containers. When acidic foods are stored in galvanized utensils or when food is cooked in galvanized containers toxic amounts of zinc sometimes enter the food. 4 101 15 galvanized metal use limitation galvanized metal may not be used for utensils or food contact surfaces of equipment that are. 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.

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

The acid content in these foods will attack the zinc coating and cause accelerated corrosion. This makes it unwise to use for cooking vessels.