Food-Grade Silicone Tubing: Why It’s the Gold Standard for Breweries and Dairies

In the food and beverage industry, material safety is non-negotiable. Food-grade silicone tubing has become the preferred choice for breweries, wineries, dairies, and bottling plants due to its unmatched purity, flexibility, and durability. This post explores why FDA-compliant silicone tubing outperforms traditional materials and how it ensures product integrity from tank to tap.

Unlike PVC or rubber tubing, food-grade silicone tubing is certified under FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and NSF-51 standards, meaning it’s free from plasticizers, phthalates, and BPA. It imparts no taste or odor—critical when transferring beer, milk, or juice. Even after repeated sterilization cycles, it retains its clarity and structural integrity, preventing flavor carryover between batches.

Temperature resilience is another key advantage. Food-grade silicone tubing operates reliably from -50°C to 200°C, making it ideal for hot-fill processes, CIP (clean-in-place) systems, and cold storage transfer lines. In breweries, it’s used in wort transfer, yeast propagation, and keg filling without degrading under steam or chemical sanitizers like caustic soda.

Flexibility simplifies installation. The tubing’s high tear strength and elasticity allow tight bends without kinking, reducing pressure drops and improving flow rates. For peristaltic pumps—a staple in dosing and filling—silicone tubing delivers consistent compression and recovery, extending pump diaphragm life by up to 30% compared to Tygon or latex alternatives.

Hygiene is enhanced by its ultra-smooth bore. The non-porous surface resists biofilm adhesion, minimizing contamination risks. Regular cleaning with hot water, peroxide, or ozone is sufficient—no harsh scrubbing needed. This reduces downtime and water usage, supporting sustainable operations.

For high-pressure applications like CO2 injection or filtration, reinforced food-grade silicone tubing with polyester or stainless steel braiding handles up to 10 bar without bursting. Custom colors (e.g., blue for water, red for product) prevent cross-contamination in multi-line setups.

Compared to alternatives:

• PVC: Cheaper but leaches chemicals and cracks under UV/heat.

• EPDM: Good for steam but absorbs odors and degrades faster.

• PTFE: Excellent chemically but rigid and expensive.

Investing in food-grade silicone tubing reduces recalls, extends equipment life, and ensures compliance. Whether you’re scaling a craft brewery or automating a dairy line, it’s a small upgrade with massive ROI.

Need custom food-grade silicone tubing? Contact us for samples and technical specs.