PTFE and PFA fluoropolymer coatings manufactured by Chemours (the Teflon brand owner) carry FDA food contact compliance when applied correctly by a licensed applicator. This means they are approved for direct and indirect contact with food under the conditions specified in the US FDA's Code of Federal Regulations. For food processors, bakeries and dairy manufacturers across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia, this compliance is non-negotiable — and the way a coating is applied matters just as much as the material itself.
What FDA Compliance Means for Industrial Coatings
When we say a coating is “FDA compliant,” we mean the raw materials used in the coating system have been tested and approved for food contact under specific conditions — temperature limits, food types and duration of contact. The FDA regulates this through 21 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations), which lists approved substances for coatings, adhesives and components that come into contact with food.
FDA compliance is not a blanket approval for any coating applied any way. The coating material must be from an approved formulation, applied within specified parameters, and cured correctly to meet the standard. If any step in the process is wrong — insufficient cure temperature, incorrect film thickness, contaminated substrate — the compliance no longer applies.
Which Fluoropolymer Coatings Are FDA Compliant?
The three main Chemours fluoropolymer families used in food contact applications:
- PTFE (Teflon) — The industry standard for bakeware and food processing equipment. Excellent non-stick release, rated to 260°C continuous service. Used on bread tins, muffin trays, depositor hoppers, dough equipment and conveyor components.
- PFA — Premium coating for demanding food environments. Thicker build (35–200μm), superior chemical resistance and a non-porous film. Used on dairy tanks, mixing vessels, heat exchangers and equipment exposed to aggressive cleaning chemicals.
- FEP — Melt-processable fluoropolymer with a lower service temperature (200°C). Used on specific food equipment where a clear, transparent finish or particular chemical resistance profile is required.
All three are available through AST as Australia's only Chemours-licensed industrial fluoropolymer applicator. The specific coating system is selected based on the operating environment — temperature, chemical exposure, mechanical wear and the type of food contact involved. See our Teflon coating services page for detailed specifications.
Addressing the PFOA Concern
All modern Chemours fluoropolymer coatings have been PFOA-free since 2015. PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) was a processing aid used in older manufacturing processes. It was voluntarily phased out by Chemours and other manufacturers under the EPA Stewardship Program. Current Teflon and related fluoropolymer coatings do not contain PFOA and have not for over a decade.
This is one of the most common questions we receive from food processors and their quality teams. The short answer: if your coating is applied by a licensed Chemours applicator using current materials, PFOA is not present in the finished coating.
Why This Matters for Food Processors
Food manufacturers operating under HACCP, SQF, BRC or FSSC 22000 certification need documented evidence that every material in contact with food is compliant. During audits, coating certificates and material data sheets are routinely requested. Without proper documentation, a non-compliant coating can trigger a corrective action — or worse, a product recall.
Major food producers including Goodman Fielder, George Weston Foods, Allied Pinnacle, ARYZTA, Fonterra and Saputo Dairy rely on documented coating compliance across their bakeware fleets and processing equipment. It is not optional — it is a baseline requirement of modern food manufacturing.
Why a Licensed Applicator Matters
FDA compliance is tied to the complete coating system — not just the material. A licensed applicator ensures:
- Correct material selection — the right Chemours coating system for the specific food contact application
- Proper substrate preparation — grit blasting and priming to Chemours specifications for adhesion and longevity
- Correct cure profile — fluoropolymer coatings must reach specific temperatures for specific durations to fully cure and achieve FDA-compliant properties
- Documented traceability — batch records, material certificates and coating thickness verification
Using a non-licensed applicator or generic “PTFE-type” coatings of unknown origin puts your FDA compliance at risk. If the material is not a genuine Chemours formulation applied to their specifications, the FDA compliance documentation does not apply.
Common Food Processing Applications
AST applies FDA-compliant fluoropolymer coatings to a wide range of food contact equipment across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia:
For a detailed look at food industry coating applications, see our food processing industry page.
Coating Certificates and Audit Documentation
AST provides coating certificates and compliance documentation for every food-contact coating job. This includes material identification, batch traceability, film thickness records and FDA compliance statements — everything your quality team and auditors need. All work is backed by our lifetime workmanship warranty.
Need FDA-Compliant Coating Documentation?
Talk to AST about your food contact coating requirements. As Australia's only Chemours-licensed applicator, we supply the coating, the documentation and the traceability your auditors expect.
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