FDA and LFGB Certified Stainless Steel Flatware for the US and EU Market

When you slice a steak in a European restaurant or scoop oatmeal at an American breakfast, the flatware in your hand has undergone dozens of safety evaluations. The stringent standards for food contact materials in the US and EU markets have long been a core consideration for consumers when making purchasing decisions. For purchasers in the food-service industry, material safety and compliance are not optional; they are essential for passing customs, meeting health regulations, and maintaining customer trust.

As a leading stainless steel flatware manufacturer, McAllen builds flatware safety from the very beginning: raw material selection, laboratory testing, and international certification compliance. Below, we explain in clear and practical terms why FDA and LFGB certifications matter, and what they mean for restaurants, hotels, and distributors.

1. Safe From the Source: Why Material Selection Matters?

High-quality material is the foundation of safe flatware. Mcallen uses only food-grade stainless steel:

• 18/0 (430)
• 18/8 (304)
• 18/10 (316 medical-grade)

Each grade meets or exceeds FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 requirements.

316 stainless steel, enriched with molybdenum, offers superior corrosion resistance, especially important in Western dining, where foods are often acidic or salty. Examples include lemon-marinated salmon, tomato sauce, and vinegar-based dressings.

Inferior steels like 201 may corrode in these environments, releasing manganese or causing discoloration.

Real-world case: A mother in Philadelphia once shared that her child experienced mouth irritation from low-quality flatware. After switching to our 18/10 stainless steel children’s set, the symptoms disappeared, demonstrating how proper materials can directly impact user safety.

2. Safety Science: What Tests Do Our Stainless Steel Flatware Pass?

Every production batch from Mcallen undergoes three layers of testing to meet EU and U.S. import standards:

• EN 13130 Heavy Metal Migration Test
  • Lead & cadmium migration ≤ 0.1 ppm
  • Ensures no harmful metals transfer to food, even during long contact
• U.S. Food Simulant Testing (FDA)
  • Flatware is soaked in environments that simulate acidic, alcoholic, or high-temperature foods (e.g., 3% acetic acid).
  • Result: no harmful substance release.
• German LFGB Sensory Assessment
  • No odor
  • No discoloration
  • No metallic taste

2025 Q1 test report highlight:
Nickel release measured: 0.02 μg/cm²/week
EU limit: 0.5 μg/cm²/week
Our result is 25× below the allowed limit.

3. Practise: How is it beneficial to Restaurants & Households?

Holiday Roasts & Red Wine Sauces

During long contact with acidic or wine-based sauces, certified steel ensures no lead or cadmium migration. Non-compliant flatware may release levels up to 2,000× higher than the limit, risking neurological harm.

Breakfast Bowls (Yogurt, Vinegar, Fruit)

Acid plus dairy can cause blackening or a bad odor in poor-quality steel. FDA/LFGB-compliant 18/10 or 316 steel stays neutral and stable.

Dishwasher Use in Restaurants

High-temperature, high-pressure cycles can cause coating peeling, accelerated corrosion, metal release, and discoloration. Food-grade stainless steel flatware from Mcallen remains stable and safe even after hundreds of cycles.

4. Compliance Makes Importing Easier, Especially for EU & U.S. Markets

Upon request, Mcallen, a reliable stainless steel cutlery set supplier and manufacturer, provides:

• “18/10 Stainless Steel” marking
• “FDA Compliant” / LFGB mark
• Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
• Traceable test reports

For stainless steel flatware purchasers, this means:

• Smooth customs clearance under EC 1935/2004
• No additional testing required during German health inspections
• Safer tableware for U.S. families—especially those purchasing children’s spoons or baby weaning products

For restaurant owners, distributors, and commercial kitchen suppliers, compliance saves time, cost, and legal risk.

5. Why Choose McAllen Flatware as Your Stainless Steel Supplier?

Mcallen focuses on premium stainless steel flatware engineered for the global markets. Our strengths include:

• Strict material control using medical-grade 304/316 stainless steel
• Third-party testing for every batch, with full documentation
• FDA, LFGB, and EN-compliant production
• Stainless steel flatware OEM/ODM capability for brands, hotels, and restaurant chains
• High durability for commercial use (dishwasher-safe, corrosion-proof)

Every piece reflects our commitment to safety, quality, and long-term reliability.

Conclusion

FDA and LFGB certifications are not “extra labels”; they are essential safety guarantees for restaurants, retail brands, and households across Europe and the United States. By combining certified materials, rigorous testing, and modern manufacturing, Mcallen ensures your catering business is not only beautiful but also safe, durable, and fully compliant with global standards. Safety is not optional. At McAllen, safety is our factory default. If you need high-quality stainless steel flatware wholesale and custom, contact us now!