Food Safe 3D Printing: Complete Guide 2025
Learn which 3D printing materials are food safe, safety considerations, post-processing requirements, and best practices for creating food-safe 3D printed items.
Updated: February 2025
Table of Contents
Important Safety Note: Food safety depends on material type, printer cleanliness, post-processing, and proper handling. Always use food-grade materials and follow best practices for food contact applications.
Which 3D Printing Materials Are Food Safe?
Compare material costs and properties in our guides: PETG vs PLA and PLA vs ABS Cost.
PETG Filament
Best choice for food-safe applications
PLA Filament
Conditionally food safe (use food-grade only)
✅ PETG - Best for Food Safe Applications
Cost: ~£0.016 per gram
Food Safety: PETG is generally considered food-safe when properly processed. It's used in food packaging and containers.
- Waterproof and chemical resistant
- Doesn't degrade or leach chemicals easily
- Can be dishwasher safe (check manufacturer specs)
- Requires smooth surface finish for food safety
⚠️ PLA - Conditionally Food Safe
Cost: ~£0.0128 per gram
Food Safety: Some PLA formulations are food-safe, but not all. Requires careful selection and processing.
- Must use food-grade PLA specifically
- Not suitable for hot liquids or high temperatures
- Porous surface can harbor bacteria
- Requires food-safe coating for long-term use
- Best for single-use or decorative items
❌ ABS - NOT Food Safe
Cost: ~£0.017 per gram
Food Safety: ABS is NOT recommended for food contact applications.
- Contains potentially harmful chemicals
- Not approved for food contact
- Should not be used for food containers or utensils
Food Safety Considerations
Calculate material costs accurately with our cost per gram calculator.
Critical Factors for Food Safe 3D Printing:
- Material Selection: Use food-grade PETG or food-safe PLA. Check manufacturer certifications (FDA-approved materials).
- Printer Cleanliness: Ensure your printer is clean. Use a dedicated food-safe nozzle. Avoid cross-contamination from previous non-food prints.
- Surface Finish: 3D printed surfaces are porous and can harbor bacteria. Apply food-safe coatings or use smooth surface finishes.
- Post-Processing: Properly clean and sanitize prints. Use food-safe sealants or coatings for long-term food contact.
- Temperature Resistance: Consider heat resistance for dishwasher use or hot food applications.
- Single vs. Reusable: Single-use items have lower risk than reusable containers.
Best Practices for Food Safe 3D Printing
For more material information, see our comparison guides: PETG vs PLA and PLA vs ABS Cost.
✅ Do's
- Use food-grade PETG or certified food-safe PLA
- Clean printer thoroughly before food prints
- Use dedicated food-safe nozzle
- Apply food-safe coatings (epoxy resin, food-grade sealants)
- Wash thoroughly before first use
- Use smooth surface finishes
- Check material certifications
❌ Don'ts
- Don't use ABS for food contact
- Don't use regular PLA without food-safe certification
- Don't skip post-processing and cleaning
- Don't use for hot liquids without proper material
- Don't ignore surface porosity
- Don't reuse without proper cleaning
- Don't use non-food-safe coatings
Post-Processing for Food Safety
3D printed surfaces are porous and can harbor bacteria. Proper post-processing is essential:
1. Surface Smoothing
Sand surfaces smooth, use vapor smoothing (for ABS), or print with smooth surface finish to reduce porosity.
2. Food-Safe Coatings
Apply food-grade epoxy resin or food-safe sealants to create a non-porous barrier. Popular options include food-safe epoxy coatings.
3. Cleaning and Sanitizing
Wash thoroughly with warm soapy water. For reusable items, sanitize regularly. Some materials are dishwasher safe (check specifications).
Cost Considerations for Food Safe Printing
Material Costs:
- Food-Grade PETG: ~£0.016 per gram (£15.99 per 1000g spool)
- Food-Safe PLA: ~£0.013-0.015 per gram (slightly more expensive than regular PLA)
- Food-Safe Coatings: Additional £5-15 per item depending on size
Example: A 200g food-safe container costs approximately £3.20-3.60 in material + coating costs. Use our free calculator to estimate total costs including post-processing.
Food Safe 3D Printing Applications
✅ Suitable Applications
- Cookie cutters (single-use)
- Decorative food items
- Food molds (with proper coating)
- Dry food storage containers
- Kitchen utensils (with coating)
- Planters (non-food contact)
⚠️ Use with Caution
- Reusable food containers
- Hot liquid containers
- Dishwasher-safe items
- Long-term food storage
- Items for children
Calculate Food Safe 3D Printing Costs
Use our free calculator to estimate material costs for food-safe PETG and PLA prints, including post-processing expenses.
Try Free Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions - Food Safe 3D Printing
Is PLA food safe?
Some PLA formulations are food-safe, but not all. You must use food-grade PLA specifically certified for food contact. Even food-grade PLA has limitations - it's not suitable for hot liquids, can harbor bacteria in its porous surface, and requires proper post-processing and food-safe coatings for long-term use.
Can I put 3D prints in the dishwasher?
Most 3D printed items should NOT be put in the dishwasher. The high temperatures (60-70°C) can warp PLA prints and potentially degrade materials. PETG may be dishwasher-safe if properly processed and sealed, but always check manufacturer specifications. Hand washing with warm soapy water is safer for 3D printed food containers.
What is the safest material for food-safe 3D printing?
PETG is generally considered the safest material for food-safe 3D printing when properly processed. It's waterproof, chemical-resistant, and doesn't degrade easily. However, proper post-processing including surface smoothing, food-safe sealants, and regular cleaning is essential for any food-safe application.
How do I make 3D prints food safe?
To make 3D prints food safe: 1) Use food-grade materials (PETG or food-safe PLA), 2) Ensure printer cleanliness with dedicated food-safe nozzle, 3) Smooth surfaces to reduce porosity, 4) Apply food-safe sealants or coatings, 5) Clean and sanitize regularly, 6) Use for single-use items when possible, and 7) Avoid high temperatures and harsh detergents.
Is ABS food safe?
No, ABS is NOT food safe and should not be used for food contact applications. ABS contains potentially harmful chemicals and is not approved for food contact. Use PETG or food-grade PLA instead for any food-related 3D printing projects.