Before buying Flexible intermediate bulk bags or FIBC bags for different applications, one should understand the difference between food-grade FIBC and non-food-grade FIBC bags. The reason is, there are a fair amount of differences between the two types. Moreover, the same cannot be used for the same purpose. To make matters more confusing, there is another category called feed-grade FIBC bags
The purpose of this blog post is to explain the criteria used to categorize the FIBC bags based on their purpose.
What Is an FIBC Bag?
Before we discuss the differences between food-grade FIBC and non-food-grade FIBC bags, let’s find out what FIBC bags are. As such, having a strong understanding of what FIBC bags are and the advantages they bring is essential for any business set to benefit from them.
FIBC bags are large containers that can be handled by mechanical equipment. They are typically made of woven polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyester. Large FIBC bags are often used to transport dry, granular, powder-type materials and highly specialized FIBCs for liquid products.
The bags offer a lot of storage capacity and are cost-effective. They’re essential for a variety of industries, from industrial products, polymers, cement, fertilizers, chemicals, and for food packaging applications. They provide businesses with reliable and efficient storage and transportation solutions to handle large quantities of dry goods and other materials.
What Is a Food-Grade FIBC Bag?
A food-grade FIBC bag is a bulk container that’s used for the storage and transportation of dry goods, powders, granules, and other materials. Let’s look at other advantages:
- They are made of approved materials such as 100% virgin polypropylene and additives as raw materials,
- They are typically used to store dry goods such as rice, flour, sugar, etc.
- They are used for storing food meant for human consumption and should meet the hygienic storage and transportation standards set for food products.
- They have to be manufactured in a hygienic production environment and should follow the guidelines provided by the GFSI standard.
- They cost more than feed-grade FIBC bags because their manufacturing process is more stringent and involves best practices like personal hygiene, pest control, and work environment control.
- They are tracked from the raw material stage to the end user using a unique ID to ensure there are no contamination issues along the way.
- They need to be customized to meet the specific needs of the food type they are carrying. Also, the transportation requirements for each type need to be kept in mind.
- The bags should strictly follow the permissible weight guidelines. The excess weight can damage them, leading to contamination or deterioration of their contents.
What Is a Non-Food Grade FIBC Bag?
A non-food grade FIBC bag is used to transport and store large quantities of dry bulk materials such as chemicals and hazardous materials. They are not suitable for storing or transporting food items as they are not manufactured under stringent norms like food-grade FIBCs.
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What Are Feed-Grade FIBC Bags?
Then there are feed-grade FIBC bags, which are not the same as food-grade FIBC bags.
Here’s how you know an FIBC bag is feed grade:
- They are meant to hold animal products, mainly for pets and farm livestock.
- They are not certified as safe for human food. They do not have to follow the same strict guidelines as the food-grade FIBC bags and can use recycled resins.
- They are not as strictly regulated as food-grade bulk bags, so they do not need to carry food-grade certifications. For this reason, they tend to cost less.
What Are the Differences Between Food-Grade FIBC and Non-Food-Grade FIBC Bags?
FIBCs are an important part of the food supply chain. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the differences between food-grade and non-food-grade FIBCs.
- Food-grade FIBCs are specifically designed for contact with food products and must meet strict requirements for hygiene and safety standards.
- Non-food-grade FIBCs are designed for the transportation of non-food products and may not meet the same standards as food-grade FIBCs.
How Can I Source the Best Quality Food-Grade FIBC Bags?
Regardless of the type of bags you want to source, you should always approach reputable FIBC manufacturers.
Big Bags International is a Mangalore-based manufacturer of top-quality FIBC bags that can help you with the safe and efficient storage and transportation of bulk goods so essential for your business.
You can use their products ranging from baffled bags and one-looper bags to ventilated bags and diaper bags, to secure your business’s supply chain operations.
To learn more about their range of products, visit their website.