Many people use glues like Gorilla Epoxy to repair broken items such as kitchen dishes, utensils, and equipment. But they don’t consider that some solvents aren’t safe for food.
Gorilla Epoxy is not a food safe product. Although it is an excellent solvent that can repair a wide variety of items, it should not be used on anything that is directly or indirectly used around food.
We’re going to tell you all there is to know about Gorilla Epoxy and why you shouldn’t use it for items that come in contact with food. We’re also going to tell you what products you can use in place of Gorilla Epoxy that is food safe.
Contents (Jump to Topic)
What Is Gorilla Epoxy?
Gorilla Epoxy is a two-component glue manufactured by the Gorilla Glue Company. This super solvent adhesive can be used on materials like aluminum, steel, glass, ceramic, tile, plastic, and wood.
This epoxy works by combining resin and hardener to form a strong, secure bond. Without the hardener, the resin will not cure, meaning it won’t thicken hard enough to provide the proper hold.
This clear glue is water-resistant and dries clean. It can be painted using latex paint or stained with a water-based stain. Application is easy with the original container, which keeps the resin separate from the hardener until you’re ready to glue.
You can use Gorilla Epoxy to fill gaps, seal cracks, and fuse two broken pieces together. Applying the product will require you to put pressure on the syringe handle, which is fused, so both the hardener and the resin come out simultaneously.
It takes five minutes for the glue to set completely, so you have time to get the positioning right. Once cured, the epoxy has a 3300 PSI bond strength, meaning it’s strong enough to fix the most damage. It can even be used outdoors or indoors.
Gorilla Epoxy Is Not Food Safe
Gorilla Epoxy is a great product to repair broken items around the house, but it’s best kept away from anything in your kitchen. This list includes cookware, serving dishes, utensils, and cooking equipment.
According to the manufacturer, is not food safe and should not be applied to any materials that you will use with or around food. However, slight trace amounts will not be too harmful.
Food safe, also called food grade, does not mean that you can eat the product. It means you can use the product on things that your food will touch without contamination. In most cases, your food won’t have enough exposure to harmful chemicals to make you sick, even if the epoxy isn’t technically food-safe.
Why Isn’t Gorilla Epoxy Food Safe?
Gorilla Epoxy contains bisphenol A, also called BPA, which has excellent curing abilities. Some products may use bisphenol F. Neither type of bisphenol is food safe, although it’s frequently used in many products.
According to the FDA, BPA is safe at low levels. But there have been issues regarding high doses causing health problems. Thus, many products still use BPA to make many products, including those that come into contact with your food.
The United States Food and Drug Administration Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations 175 subsection 105 and subsection 300 provides a list of raw materials that can be food safe, including epoxy ingredients.
These guidelines also define how epoxy can be used safely on items that will be used to handle food, including items for storage and cooking.
What Makes a Resin Food Safe?
Trying to define what food is safe can be difficult, especially since there aren’t any guidelines. However, the FDA does have requirements for a material to be considered food safe.
First, the material should not release any type of taste or smell to your food. Your health does not become endangered from consuming food that’s been in contact with the resin. And the material does not leach any components into your food.
Liquid epoxy resin is always toxic. Epoxy becomes safer once it has dried and cured. Always use caution not to inhale the fumes of any epoxy. And also, avoid getting the resin on your skin, as it can cause irritation.
What to Use Instead of Gorilla Epoxy
The company Permabond does have a few different epoxy adhesives that are FDA approved for use around food. These products have been made using raw materials that are listed on the FDA’s list:
Titebond III
The FDA also approves Titebond III for indirect food contact. However, it is only for use on wood products, so you can’t use this adhesive to repair plastic, glass, or ceramic.
If your wooden cutting board or favorite wooden salad bowl broke, you could use Titebond III to repair the damage. But if your favorite metal skillet breaks, you’ll need a different adhesive for repairs.
Max CLR A/B Epoxy Resin
Max CLR A/B Epoxy Resin has also been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be in accordance with CFR Title 21, Parts 175.300, and 175.105 for both direct and indirect contact with food.Permabond ET5145 and ET5147
Permabond ET5145 and ET5147 are both considered a food safe epoxy, meaning you can use them for items that you will use around food.
If your plate broke or a handle came off your favorite spatula, you could use Permabond to repair it. And you can do so with peace of mind that the adhesive bond is secure and safe.
Health Concerns Caused by Epoxy Exposure
There is little risk of danger using epoxy but a few common problems that can occur include:
- Allergic dermatitis – rarely occurs, basically an allergic reaction to epoxy on the skin. In addition to skin irritation, there might also be swelling, itching, red eyes, and respiratory irritation.
- Chemical burns – in rare cases, epoxy that comes into contact with the skin can cause chemical burns. This happens more often with hardener than with the mixed epoxy. These burns can cause the skin to discolor and even scar.
- Respiratory irritation – breathing in fumes from epoxy chemicals can irritate the respiratory system—the hotter the temperature, the stronger the fumes. Inhaling the dust from sanded epoxy can also cause breathing problems.
Exposure can also cause mild symptoms like drooling, eye pain, vision loss, pain in the eyes, mouth, ears, nose, difficult breathing, and voice changes. There could even be severe symptoms like stomach pain and vomiting.
What to Do to Treat Epoxy Poisoning
If the resin is ingested in a liquid form, the first thing you should do is call 1-800-420-7186 or your local Poison Control Center. You could also call your local physician.
Do not induce vomiting, as this could cause more damage. The representative will give you further instructions on treatment, including if it’s necessary to go to the hospital or see a doctor.
Rinse immediately with water if you get resin in your eyes or on your skin. And apply epoxy in a well-ventilated area and get fresh air immediately after exposure to the fumes.
Conclusion
We’ve told you everything you need to know about using Gorilla Epoxy on or around items coming into contact with food. Gorilla Epoxy is not food safe. Therefore, you should not use it in the kitchen.
We’ve also given you a few alternative FDA approved epoxies to use in place of Gorilla Epoxy. Using one of these products will allow you to repair items around your kitchen that you will use on your food without putting your health at risk.
Plus, we’ve explained some signs of epoxy poisoning and how you should treat the conditions. There you have it—all you need to know about using Gorilla Epoxy around food.