Food-grade totes,
with the paperwork
Edible prior service, named and signed by the site that generated the container. A dedicated wash bay that never sees industrial residue. 100% hydrostatic testing. If we cannot evidence all three, we will sell you a rebottled unit instead.
Quote food-grade totes
Name the product going in and whether anything downstream is audited. Provenance documentation ships as standard.
Tell us what you have.
We will tell you what it is worth.
Buying, selling, washing, hauling or recycling — one form covers all of it. Replies come from a specialist in York, PA, by email, inside one business day.
Prefer plain email? Write to info@ibctotesreco.com — include your ZIP, quantity and what the totes last held.
A food-grade used IBC tote is one whose prior contents were edible, whose provenance is documented from the generating site, and which has been washed on a dedicated food line with new FDA-compliant gaskets and lid. Where any link in that chain is missing, the correct product is a rebottled tote with a virgin HDPE bottle — not a cleaner wash on an industrial container.
The three gates a food-grade unit passes
1 — Provenance
The last product is named by the site that emptied the container, on a signed declaration. Not by a broker, not by inference from a label, and not by how clean the bottle looks. This is the gate that disqualifies most of the used-tote population, and it is also the gate most sellers skip.
2 — Segregation
Edible-prior stock sits in its own quarantine row, is moved with its own forklift attachment and washed in Bay 1, which has never run a caustic programme on an industrial container. Cross-contamination risk in a reconditioning yard is almost entirely a materials-handling problem rather than a chemistry problem.
3 — Verification
Backlight inspection for haze and ghosting, final rinse pH and conductivity check, 100% hydrostatic testing — not sampled, as it is for industrial grades — and new FDA-compliant elastomers chosen for your specific product.
What we will not do
- Re-grade an industrial-prior container upward because a customer wants food-grade and we are short of stock.
- Accept “it only had soap in it” from a middleman as a provenance statement. The 2015 entry in our history is what that sentence cost us once.
- Sell a food-grade unit without the documentation pack, even to a customer who says they do not need it. They will need it in two years.
Food-grade versus rebottled: how to choose
If your product is forgiving, your prior-service options are good and the price difference matters, documented food-grade reconditioned is excellent value. If anything downstream is audited, if the product is light-coloured or clarity-sensitive, or if you simply do not want to have the provenance conversation at all, rebottle. The honest split in our own order book is roughly 60/40 in favour of rebottled, and that ratio has been rising.
What we accept, and what disqualifies a container forever
This table is the single most useful thing on the page if you are sourcing your own stock.
| Prior product | Food-grade eligible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Juice & syrup concentrate | Yes | Best-performing inbound stock; sugars rinse clean |
| Liquid sugar, HFCS | Yes | Hot rinse only; no caustic needed |
| Brines, vinegar, pickling liquor | Yes | Check cage for chloride corrosion |
| Edible oils | Yes, with hot detergent | Needs 140°F or fats re-deposit on cooling |
| Glycerine, food-grade glycol | Yes | Often effectively first-use |
| Beer, wine, cider, must | Yes | Watch for tartrate scale |
| Honey, maple sap & syrup | Yes | Heated rinse; inspect lid seat |
| Dairy intermediates | Case by case | Protein films need verification |
| Potable water, DI water | Yes | Frequently first-use |
| Industrial detergents, surfactants | No | Grade B industrial only |
| Fertiliser, UAN, crop protection | No | Never eligible, any condition |
| Latex paint, pigments, resins | No | Permanent ghosting; often rebottle |
| Solvents, fuels, oils (non-edible) | No | Plasticises the bottle wall |
| Unknown or mixed | No | Refused at the gate |
What arrives with a food-grade order
Six documents, as standard, indexed to the unit serials on your load.
Signed prior-contents declaration
From the generating site, naming the last product and confirming empty-to-drain status.
Wash programme record
Bay, programme, temperature, chemistry concentration and cycle time for your specific units.
Rinse verification
Final-rinse pH and conductivity results showing the chemistry is gone.
Hydrostatic test certificate
100% of food-grade units, recorded against serial.
Component specification
Valve, gasket and lid materials with FDA-compliance references for the elastomers fitted.
Photograph set
The actual units on the rack before loading, not stock imagery.
Food-grade tote FAQ
Is a used IBC tote safe for food or drinking water?
Only if its prior service was edible, the provenance is documented from the site that generated it, and it has been washed on a line that does not handle industrial residues. We hold edible-prior stock in a separate quarantine row, wash it in a dedicated bay, hydrostatically test 100% of it, and fit new FDA-compliant gaskets and lids. If any of that chain is missing, the honest answer is a rebottled unit with a virgin bottle — and that is what we will recommend.
What counts as acceptable prior service for food-grade?
Products that were themselves edible or potable: juice and syrup concentrates, liquid sugar, brines, vinegar, edible oils, glycerine, food-grade propylene glycol, dairy intermediates, beer and wine, honey, maple sap. We require the last product to be named by the generating site and, where available, its specification or safety data sheet. Industrial-prior containers are never re-graded into this stock, regardless of how clean they look.
Does 'food-grade' mean the same thing as 'FDA approved'?
No, and the distinction trips up a lot of buyers. The FDA does not approve containers; it regulates the materials that contact food, principally through 21 CFR 177 for polymers and the corresponding sections for elastomers. A container is food-grade when its contact materials comply and its history and handling do not compromise it. A certificate stating the resin complies says nothing about what the bottle held last Tuesday — which is why provenance documentation matters more than any certificate.
Which gaskets and valves do you fit for food service?
New FDA-compliant EPDM as standard; Viton where the product is fatty, acidic or aromatic; silicone for high-temperature transfer. Valves are new polypropylene butterfly or stainless ball depending on viscosity and temperature, with new lid seals and a tamper-evident dust cap. We never refit a harvested valve on a food-grade unit.
Can I get the prior-contents documentation?
Yes, and it ships with the order as standard rather than on request: the named prior product, the generating site, the signed declaration, the wash programme record, the hydrostatic test result and the photographs of your actual units.
What if I need potable water storage specifically?
Rebottled is the cleanest answer and we will usually steer you there, because a virgin bottle removes the prior-contents question altogether. Where a food-grade reconditioned unit is suitable, we will say so and send the provenance pack. For long-term potable storage outdoors, factor UV: a natural HDPE bottle will support algae growth in sunlight, so either shade it or specify a cover.
Related pages
Which prior products can ever be food-grade again
One hundred named products, each with its wash programme, its best achievable grade and a plain yes, no, never or case-by-case on food contact.
The eligibility list
Anything marked “Never” is permanently disqualified regardless of condition, washing or appearance.
| Prior product | Family | Food-grade eligible? | Programme | Best grade | Seal | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple juice concentrate (70 Bx) | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Best inbound stock we see; sugars rinse clean |
| Orange juice concentrate | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA Viton | Citrus oil fraction can scent the bottle |
| Grape juice concentrate | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Watch for tartrate scale at the outlet |
| Liquid sugar / sucrose syrup | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Hot rinse only, no caustic needed |
| High-fructose corn syrup | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Viscous; 3" outlet helps decanting |
| Molasses | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Heated rinse; heavy heel |
| Honey | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Crystallises; heater jacket recommended |
| Maple sap | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Benign but sugars feed biofilm fast |
| Maple syrup | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Hot rinse; inspect lid seat |
| Apple cider | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Vented lid essential — ferments |
| Wine / must | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Tartrate scale; usually leased |
| Beer / wort | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Stainless preferred for repeat service |
| Brine (pickling liquor) | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA Viton | Check cage for chloride attack |
| Vinegar, 10% | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Easy; acid-resistant seal needed |
| Soy sauce | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA Viton | Salt plus colour; monitor ghosting |
| Edible soybean oil | Food & beverage | Yes | P2 | A | FDA Viton | 140°F minimum or fat re-deposits |
| Edible canola oil | Food & beverage | Yes | P2 | A | FDA Viton | As above |
| Olive oil | Food & beverage | Yes | P2 | A | FDA Viton | Polyphenols can tint the wall |
| Glycerine, USP | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Often effectively first-use stock |
| Propylene glycol, food grade | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Frequently single-product filler stock |
| Liquid egg | Food & beverage | Case by case | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Protein film needs verification |
| Milk / dairy intermediate | Food & beverage | Case by case | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Allergen changeover record required |
| Whey concentrate | Food & beverage | Case by case | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Protein scale; hot detergent |
| Tomato paste | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA Viton | Acidic; stains but rinses |
| Fruit purée | Food & beverage | Yes | PF | A | FDA EPDM | Pulp load; coarse settling matters |
| Flavour concentrate / essence | Food & beverage | No | Refused | Rebottle | PTFE | Permeates HDPE permanently — use stainless |
| Citrus terpene oil | Food & beverage | Never | Refused | Recycle | PTFE | One batch ends a poly bottle's usefulness |
| Spent grain slurry | Food & beverage | No | P2 | B | EPDM | By-product duty; 3" outlet strongly advised |
| Yeast slurry | Food & beverage | Case by case | P2 | B | EPDM | Vent — active fermentation |
| UAN 32 liquid nitrogen | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Rinses readily; dense — check ratings |
| UAN 28 | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | As above |
| Liquid starter 10-34-0 | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Polyphosphate scale at the outlet |
| Ammonium thiosulphate | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Sulphur odour persists faintly |
| Potassium thiosulphate | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Very dense; 275 format only |
| Calcium nitrate solution | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Crystallises when cold |
| Humic / fulvic acid | Agricultural | Never | P2 | B | EPDM | Dark staining, usually washes out |
| Fish hydrolysate fertiliser | Agricultural | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Odour frequently permanent |
| Foliar micronutrient blend | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Metal salts can tint the wall |
| Glyphosate concentrate | Agricultural | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Labelled rinse programme governs |
| 2,4-D amine concentrate | Agricultural | Never | Refused | Per label | Viton | Label prescribes rinse-and-destroy |
| Crop oil adjuvant | Agricultural | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Attacks EPDM; permeates slowly |
| Surfactant adjuvant (NIS) | Agricultural | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Foams heavily on transfer |
| Molluscicide suspension | Agricultural | Never | Refused | Per label | Viton | Refused — labelled destruction |
| Livestock drinking water | Water & inert | Yes | P1 | A | EPDM | Effectively first-use |
| Irrigation water | Water & inert | Yes | P1 | A | EPDM | May carry silt; coarse settling |
| Sodium hydroxide 50% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | 3,497 lb filled — check every rating |
| Sodium hydroxide 25% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Easy wash; dilute and drain |
| Potassium hydroxide 45% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | As NaOH; dense |
| Sulphuric acid 93% | Industrial chemistry | Never | Refused | Dedicated | PTFE | 4,182 lb filled; dedicated service only |
| Sulphuric acid 35% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | C | PTFE | Fume attack on cage galvanising |
| Hydrochloric acid 31% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | C | PTFE | Cage usually the limiting factor |
| Phosphoric acid 75% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | PTFE | Dense; viscous at low temperature |
| Nitric acid 42% | Industrial chemistry | Never | Refused | Dedicated | PTFE | Oxidiser — embrittles HDPE |
| Hydrogen peroxide 35% | Industrial chemistry | Case by case | P1 | B | PTFE | Vent; absolutely no contaminants |
| Sodium hypochlorite 12% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Degasses; vent and shield from UV |
| Ferric chloride 40% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P2 | C | Viton | Heavy orange staining is permanent |
| Aluminium sulphate | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Scale at the outlet boss |
| Polyaluminium chloride | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Gels if allowed to dry out |
| Propylene glycol coolant | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Ideal duty; nothing to watch |
| Ethylene glycol | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Toxic — never re-grade for potable |
| Calcium chloride brine 32% | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | Viton | Chloride attack on lower cage |
| Magnesium chloride de-icer | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | Viton | As above; rinse frames each spring |
| Potassium acetate de-icer | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Benign; airport runway chemistry |
| Urea solution (DEF) | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Purity-critical next fill; usually dedicated |
| Nickel plating solution | Industrial chemistry | Never | Refused | Recycle | Viton | Metal-bearing; never re-used |
| Chromic acid solution | Refused | Never | Refused | Refused | PTFE | Not accepted at the gate |
| Cyanide plating bath | Refused | Never | Refused | Refused | PTFE | Acutely hazardous — licensed facility only |
| Phosphate conversion coating | Industrial chemistry | Never | P2 | C | Viton | Scale and staining |
| Amine corrosion inhibitor | Industrial chemistry | Never | P2 | B | Viton | Fish-like odour can persist |
| Sodium silicate | Industrial chemistry | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Sets hard if dried; wash promptly |
| Polymer flocculant emulsion | Industrial chemistry | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Extremely slippery; gels with water |
| Sodium bisulphite | Industrial chemistry | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Sulphur odour; vent |
| Antifoam silicone emulsion | Industrial chemistry | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Film is very hard to remove |
| Latex paint, white | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Heavy ghosting; often rebottle |
| Latex paint, tinted | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Pigment ghosting permanent |
| Water-based pigment dispersion | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Strong colour transfer into the wall |
| Flexographic ink | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | Rebottle | Viton | Resin binder plasticises the surface |
| UV-curable coating | Coatings & inks | Never | Refused | Recycle | PTFE | Cures in the bottle; not washable |
| Acrylic adhesive emulsion | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | Rebottle | EPDM | Caustic at 180°F, often still ghosts |
| PVA wood adhesive | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Wash before it skins over |
| Polyurethane resin, 2-part | Coatings & inks | Never | Refused | Recycle | PTFE | Cross-linked; nothing shifts it |
| Asphalt emulsion | Coatings & inks | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Hot caustic plus long dwell |
| Concrete release agent | Coatings & inks | Never | P2 | C | Viton | Oily film; 140°F detergent |
| Mineral oil, hydraulic | Oils & fuels | Never | P3 | B | Viton | Permeation; faint odour often remains |
| Cutting fluid, soluble | Oils & fuels | Never | P3 | B | Viton | Bacterial odour is the real problem |
| Gear oil | Oils & fuels | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Heavy film; two cycles common |
| Used motor oil | Refused | Never | Refused | Recycle | Viton | Waste stream — not accepted for reuse |
| Diesel fuel | Oils & fuels | Never | Refused | Recycle | Viton | Permanent odour; bottle compromised |
| Kerosene | Oils & fuels | Never | Refused | Recycle | Viton | As diesel |
| Biodiesel B100 | Oils & fuels | Never | P3 | C | Viton | Solvency attacks some HDPE grades |
| Vegetable-based lubricant | Oils & fuels | Never | P2 | B | Viton | Oxidises to a varnish if left |
| Anionic surfactant concentrate | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | It is soap — rinses, but foams |
| Non-ionic surfactant | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Easy wash |
| Alkaline degreaser | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Compatible with our own loop |
| Acid descaler | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P1 | B | PTFE | Segregate heel from caustic tanks |
| Quaternary ammonium sanitiser | Cleaning & sanitation | Case by case | P1 | B | EPDM | Residual actives need verification |
| Peracetic acid sanitiser | Cleaning & sanitation | Case by case | P1 | B | PTFE | Oxidiser; vent and shield |
| Hand sanitiser (ethanol 70%) | Cleaning & sanitation | Case by case | P1 | B | Viton | Alcohol flashes off; little residue |
| Laundry detergent, liquid | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Optical brighteners can tint |
| Car wash soap concentrate | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P1 | B | EPDM | Very common inbound stock |
| Floor finish / wax emulsion | Cleaning & sanitation | Never | P3 | C | EPDM | Films hard; wash before it dries |
| Potable water | Water & inert | Yes | P1 | A | FDA EPDM | Frequently first-use stock |
| Deionised water | Water & inert | Yes | P1 | A | FDA EPDM | Best-value first-use source |
| Distilled water | Water & inert | Yes | P1 | A | FDA EPDM | As above |
| Glycerine, technical | Water & inert | No | P1 | B | EPDM | Technical grade is not food grade |
| Saline solution, industrial | Water & inert | Never | P1 | B | Viton | Chloride; inspect cage |
| Unknown or mixed residue | Refused | Never | Refused | Refused | — | Safety assessment, not a grading question |
| RCRA P-listed residue | Refused | Never | Refused | Refused | — | Licensed treatment facility only |
| Radiological material | Refused | Never | Refused | Refused | — | No testing, no discussion |
| Pesticide, labelled destruction | Refused | Never | Refused | Refused | — | Service life ended by regulation |
Cross-contamination is a materials handling problem
The chemistry is the easy part. The risk lives in forklift attachments, dunnage racks and a tired yard hand at 5 AM.
- A dedicated quarantine row. Edible-prior stock is physically separate from inbound industrial stock, with its own access — not a marked zone inside a shared row.
- Bay 1 has never run industrial caustic. It is a capacity cost we carry deliberately; the rule's whole value is that it has never been broken.
- Dedicated attachments and dunnage. Tine sleeves, dunnage racks, strapping and lid trays are assigned to one population and colour-coded rather than labelled.
- One-way flow. Gate → quarantine → bench → Bay 1 → dryer → bench → rack. You cannot take a wrong turn on a one-way route.
- Two independent noses on anything heading for a food-grade call, without conferring. A disagreement routes the unit to rebottling rather than to a discussion.
- Instrumented verification. Final-rinse pH and conductivity measured and recorded on every unit — the part a machine does better than a person.
- 100% hydrostatic testing, recorded against the unit serial.
- New FDA-compliant elastomers chosen for your specific product, never a harvested valve.
Seal compatibility for food service — EPDM, Viton, silicone, PTFE
| Medium | EPDM | Viton (FKM) | Silicone | PTFE | We would fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water, potable & process | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | EPDM |
| Dilute acids (<10%) | Good | Excellent | Fair | Excellent | EPDM |
| Concentrated acids | Poor | Good | Poor | Excellent | PTFE |
| Caustic soda, alkalis | Excellent | Fair | Fair | Excellent | EPDM |
| Liquid fertiliser, UAN | Excellent | Good | Fair | Excellent | EPDM |
| Glycols, coolants, de-icer | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent | EPDM |
| Surfactants, detergents | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent | EPDM |
| Edible oils, fats | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Viton |
| Mineral oils | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Viton |
| Aromatic solvents | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Viton |
| Chlorinated solvents | Poor | Good | Poor | Excellent | Viton / PTFE |
| Ketones (acetone, MEK) | Fair | Poor | Poor | Excellent | PTFE |
| Alcohols | Good | Good | Good | Excellent | EPDM |
| Fuels, diesel, kerosene | Poor | Excellent | Poor | Excellent | Viton |
| Juice & syrup concentrate | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | FDA EPDM |
| Brine, pickling liquor | Good | Excellent | Fair | Excellent | Viton |
| Hot fill 140–180°F | Fair | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Viton / silicone |
| Hydrogen peroxide (dilute) | Good | Fair | Fair | Excellent | EPDM / PTFE |
| Sodium hypochlorite | Good | Good | Fair | Excellent | EPDM |
| Steam / CIP chemistry | Excellent | Fair | Good | Excellent | EPDM |
| Outdoor weathering & ozone | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent | EPDM |
Wash programmes, including the food line
| Code | Programme | Temperature | Chemistry | Cycle | Relative cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | Ambient flood rinse | Ambient | Process water, occasional mild alkaline | 90 sec | 1.0× | Water-miscible residues |
| P2 | Hot detergent | 140°F | Alkaline detergent 1.5–2.5% | 3 min | 2.2× | Oils, fats, filming products |
| P3 | Caustic clean-in-place | 160–180°F | NaOH 2–4% + surfactant | 6–9 min | 4.5× | Pigments, latex, resins, heavy concentrates |
| PF | Food line (Bay 1) | 140°F | Alkaline detergent 2% + 100% hydrostatic | 3 min + test | 3.1× | Documented edible prior service |
| Refused | Not accepted | — | — | — | — | Unknown, acute, labelled-destruction, radiological |
Documents that ship with a food-grade order
| Document | What it contains | When you get it |
|---|---|---|
| Written quotation | Unit price by grade, freight as its own line, validity, and the conditions that would change it | Before you order |
| Grade certificate | Assigned grade against our published definitions, per unit serial | With the order |
| Leak & pressure test record | Test pressure, hold time, outcome, per serial | With the order |
| Hydrostatic test certificate | 100% of food-line units, recorded against serial | Food-grade orders |
| Prior-contents declaration | Named last product, generating site, signature | Anything we collected |
| Wash programme record | Bay, programme, temperature, chemistry, cycle time | Reconditioned & contract work |
| Rinse verification | Final-rinse pH and conductivity | Reconditioned & contract work |
| Component specification | Valve, gasket, lid materials with compliance references | Food-grade orders |
| Photograph set | The actual units on the rack before loading | Every order |
| Weight ticket | Certified-scale gross weight and count | Collections and cleanouts |
| Diversion certificate | Unit counts, weights by stream, destination routes, dates | End-of-life batches |
| Certificate of insurance | GL, auto, cargo, workers' comp; additional insured | Before a crew arrives |
| Reconditioner marking detail | Code, date, design type | Re-marked units |
| Lease schedule | Count, grade, dates, weekly rate, return condition, replacement charge | Leases |
Standards that bind food users
| Reference | Title | What it covers | Who it binds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49 CFR 172.101 | Hazardous materials table | Classification and authorised packaging reference | Shippers |
| 49 CFR 172 Subpart H | Training | Who must be trained, in what, how often, with records | Any hazmat employer |
| 49 CFR 173 | Shippers — general requirements by class | Whether an IBC is authorised for your entry | Shippers |
| 49 CFR 178 Subpart N | IBC design types, testing and marking | What the plate means and how it was earned | Makers, reconditioners |
| 49 CFR 180.352 | Periodic inspection, testing, repair & remanufacture | 2.5-year visual, 5-year leakproofness + full inspection | Owners, shippers |
| 40 CFR 261.7 | RCRA empty containers | When a container counts as empty; P-list triple rinse | Generators |
| 40 CFR 262 | Generator standards | Waste determination, manifesting, accumulation | Generators |
| 21 CFR 177.1520 | Olefin polymers | HDPE compliance for food contact | Food users |
| 21 CFR 177.2600 | Rubber articles for repeated use | Gasket and seal compliance for food contact | Food users |
| 21 CFR 110 / 117 | Good manufacturing practice | Handling, storage, sanitation programmes | Food users |
| NSF/ANSI 61 | Drinking water system components | Potable-contact material evaluation | Water utilities |
| 29 CFR 1910.1200 | Hazard communication | Workplace labelling and safety data sheets | Everyone |
| 29 CFR 1910.146 | Permit-required confined spaces | Entry into tanks and vessels | Anyone cleaning containers |
| 29 CFR 1910.178 | Powered industrial trucks | Forklift operation and certification | Yards and docks |
| ANSI/ITSDF B56.1 | Low-lift and high-lift trucks | Capacity ratings and load centres | Yards and docks |
| ANSI MH16.1 | Steel storage racking | Beam capacity, deflection, inspection | Warehouses |
| PA Title 25 Ch. 95 | Wastewater treatment requirements | Industrial discharge standards in Pennsylvania | Wash lines |
| ISPM-15 | Wood packaging in international trade | Heat treatment and marking of timber pallets | Exporters |
Filled weights — food products are often denser than water
| Product | SG | 275 gal filled | 330 gal filled | 550 gal filled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetone | 0.79 | 1,883 lb | 2,273 lb | 3,756 lb |
| Ethanol | 0.79 | 1,883 lb | 2,273 lb | 3,756 lb |
| Kerosene | 0.81 | 1,927 lb | 2,327 lb | 3,845 lb |
| Citrus terpene oil | 0.84 | 1,993 lb | 2,407 lb | 3,978 lb |
| Diesel fuel | 0.85 | 2,016 lb | 2,433 lb | 4,022 lb |
| Mineral oil, hydraulic | 0.88 | 2,082 lb | 2,514 lb | 4,155 lb |
| Biodiesel B100 | 0.88 | 2,082 lb | 2,514 lb | 4,155 lb |
| Concrete release agent | 0.89 | 2,104 lb | 2,540 lb | 4,200 lb |
| Gear oil | 0.90 | 2,126 lb | 2,567 lb | 4,244 lb |
| Canola oil | 0.91 | 2,148 lb | 2,594 lb | 4,289 lb |
| Soybean / olive oil | 0.92 | 2,170 lb | 2,620 lb | 4,333 lb |
| Flavour concentrate | 0.95 | 2,237 lb | 2,700 lb | 4,466 lb |
| Amine corrosion inhibitor | 0.98 | 2,303 lb | 2,780 lb | 4,599 lb |
| Water | 1.00 | 2,347 lb | 2,834 lb | 4,688 lb |
| Antifoam emulsion | 1.00 | 2,347 lb | 2,834 lb | 4,688 lb |
| Quaternary sanitiser | 1.01 | 2,369 lb | 2,860 lb | 4,732 lb |
| Asphalt emulsion | 1.01 | 2,369 lb | 2,860 lb | 4,732 lb |
| Maple sap | 1.02 | 2,391 lb | 2,887 lb | 4,777 lb |
| Non-ionic surfactant | 1.03 | 2,413 lb | 2,914 lb | 4,821 lb |
| Milk / dairy intermediate | 1.03 | 2,413 lb | 2,914 lb | 4,821 lb |
| Car wash soap concentrate | 1.04 | 2,436 lb | 2,941 lb | 4,865 lb |
| Propylene glycol | 1.04 | 2,436 lb | 2,941 lb | 4,865 lb |
| Anionic surfactant | 1.05 | 2,458 lb | 2,967 lb | 4,910 lb |
| Apple cider | 1.05 | 2,458 lb | 2,967 lb | 4,910 lb |
| Spent grain slurry | 1.05 | 2,458 lb | 2,967 lb | 4,910 lb |
| Laundry detergent | 1.06 | 2,480 lb | 2,994 lb | 4,954 lb |
| Flexographic ink | 1.08 | 2,524 lb | 3,047 lb | 5,043 lb |
| Wine / must | 1.08 | 2,524 lb | 3,047 lb | 5,043 lb |
| Acrylic adhesive emulsion | 1.08 | 2,524 lb | 3,047 lb | 5,043 lb |
| Urea solution (DEF) | 1.09 | 2,546 lb | 3,074 lb | 5,087 lb |
| Alkaline degreaser | 1.10 | 2,568 lb | 3,101 lb | 5,132 lb |
| Humic acid | 1.10 | 2,568 lb | 3,101 lb | 5,132 lb |
| Tomato paste | 1.10 | 2,568 lb | 3,101 lb | 5,132 lb |
| Ethylene glycol | 1.11 | 2,590 lb | 3,127 lb | 5,176 lb |
| Peracetic acid sanitiser | 1.12 | 2,612 lb | 3,154 lb | 5,220 lb |
| Fruit purée | 1.12 | 2,612 lb | 3,154 lb | 5,220 lb |
| Hydrogen peroxide 35% | 1.13 | 2,634 lb | 3,181 lb | 5,265 lb |
| Acid descaler | 1.14 | 2,657 lb | 3,207 lb | 5,309 lb |
| Hydrochloric acid 31% | 1.16 | 2,701 lb | 3,261 lb | 5,398 lb |
| Glyphosate concentrate | 1.17 | 2,723 lb | 3,287 lb | 5,442 lb |
| Brine 23% / soy sauce | 1.20 | 2,789 lb | 3,368 lb | 5,575 lb |
| Sodium hypochlorite 12% | 1.21 | 2,811 lb | 3,394 lb | 5,620 lb |
| Phosphate coating | 1.22 | 2,833 lb | 3,421 lb | 5,664 lb |
| Pigment dispersion | 1.25 | 2,900 lb | 3,501 lb | 5,797 lb |
| Nickel plating solution | 1.25 | 2,900 lb | 3,501 lb | 5,797 lb |
| Foliar micronutrient | 1.25 | 2,900 lb | 3,501 lb | 5,797 lb |
| Glycerine | 1.26 | 2,922 lb | 3,528 lb | 5,841 lb |
| Sulphuric acid 35% | 1.26 | 2,922 lb | 3,528 lb | 5,841 lb |
| Sodium hydroxide 25% | 1.27 | 2,944 lb | 3,554 lb | 5,886 lb |
| UAN 28 | 1.28 | 2,966 lb | 3,581 lb | 5,930 lb |
| Potassium acetate de-icer | 1.28 | 2,966 lb | 3,581 lb | 5,930 lb |
| Latex paint | 1.30 | 3,010 lb | 3,634 lb | 6,019 lb |
| UAN 32 fertiliser | 1.32 | 3,054 lb | 3,688 lb | 6,108 lb |
| Magnesium chloride de-icer | 1.32 | 3,054 lb | 3,688 lb | 6,108 lb |
| Liquid sugar / maple syrup | 1.33 | 3,076 lb | 3,715 lb | 6,152 lb |
| Ammonium thiosulphate | 1.33 | 3,076 lb | 3,715 lb | 6,152 lb |
| Aluminium sulphate | 1.33 | 3,076 lb | 3,715 lb | 6,152 lb |
| Juice concentrate (70 Bx) | 1.35 | 3,121 lb | 3,768 lb | 6,241 lb |
| Polyaluminium chloride | 1.35 | 3,121 lb | 3,768 lb | 6,241 lb |
| Liquid starter 10-34-0 | 1.38 | 3,187 lb | 3,848 lb | 6,374 lb |
| High-fructose corn syrup | 1.38 | 3,187 lb | 3,848 lb | 6,374 lb |
| Calcium chloride brine | 1.38 | 3,187 lb | 3,848 lb | 6,374 lb |
| Sodium silicate | 1.39 | 3,209 lb | 3,875 lb | 6,418 lb |
| Molasses / honey | 1.42 | 3,275 lb | 3,955 lb | 6,551 lb |
| Ferric chloride 40% | 1.42 | 3,275 lb | 3,955 lb | 6,551 lb |
| Calcium nitrate solution | 1.43 | 3,297 lb | 3,981 lb | 6,596 lb |
| Potassium hydroxide 45% | 1.46 | 3,364 lb | 4,061 lb | 6,729 lb |
| Potassium thiosulphate | 1.47 | 3,386 lb | 4,088 lb | 6,773 lb |
| Sodium hydroxide 50% | 1.52 | 3,496 lb | 4,222 lb | 6,995 lb |
| Phosphoric acid 75% | 1.58 | 3,629 lb | 4,382 lb | 7,261 lb |
| Sulphuric acid 93% | 1.83 | 4,181 lb | 5,049 lb | 8,370 lb |
Six food-grade mistakes that become audit findings
Allergen changeover without a record
The cleaning may well have been adequate. The absence of recorded parameters is the finding.
Treating “food grade” as a certificate
It is a status depending on materials, history and handling. A resin compliance certificate says nothing about last Tuesday's contents.
Hot filling poly above 140°F
HDPE softens, the bottle deforms under head pressure and then draws inward as it cools. Use stainless if the process needs it.
A solid lid on a pumped discharge
A transfer pump on a sealed container buckles a wall panel permanently. Vent anything drawn down.
Buying new when rebottled would pass
The contact surface is virgin either way. The only thing new adds is a new cage, which almost no specification actually requires.
Accepting an undocumented food-grade claim in October
Documented edible-prior stock is supply-constrained. When it runs thin, the honest substitute is a rebottled unit, not a cleaner-looking industrial one.
What you are looking at, and what you are not
Bottle clarity like this is a necessary condition for Grade A and nowhere near a sufficient one. An industrial-prior container can be washed to exactly this appearance and will never be food-grade, because cleaning removes residue and does not remove history.
Which is why the food line is enforced by physical separation — a dedicated quarantine row, a bay that has never run industrial caustic, dedicated forklift attachments and one-way flow — rather than by how a container looks when it comes out.