Even if food safe versions of a plastic exist, that doesn't mean that the producer of your PLA didn't add some leachable and harmful additives to it to make it better for 3d printing. Food safety of fdm printing is still an active area of research.
chemicals (post-printing) • Hot surfaces and moving parts • Incorporate 3D printing into workplace safety plans • Develop standard operating procedures and train workers • Do not consume food or drinks in work areas. Printing considerations: • Printing material (e.g., use polylactic acid [PLA] filament rather than acrylonitrile
If you want to print something for food contact, then you have to make sure that you’re printing with filament that has been approved by the FDA as food-safe. This rule applies to PLA, PETG, and any other 3D printing material. Sustainability. PLA has long been known as the most sustainable material for 3D printing.
Typical 3D printing filament types used include PLA, PETG, or ABS. For the purpose of comparison, ABS-filled 3D printer plastic will be used. Carbon-fiber-filled filaments have improved mechanical properties when compared to unfilled thermoplastics. They also have good dimensional stability.
That is around 500 µg of lead per kilogram of filament extruded. And, considering that most food related printable items weigh around, say 75g on a fairly high end, that is 6.6 µg of lead per print. Most of that lead would still be stuck to the PLA, and will never come into contact with your food.
CuWm. is 3d printing food safe
