Can Bambu Lab put their liability where their mouth is?

[MalcTheOracle]

In the old days of 3D printing, many filaments were sold as “food safe”.

This was false advertising.

Yes, you can 3D print food-safe items, but the process is highly complex. Simply choosing a food-safe filament isn’t enough; the tiny crevices between print layers can trap bacteria, and your printer’s nozzle may contain contaminants.

Key Challenges

• Layer Lines: Microscopic gaps between layers act as breeding grounds for bacteria that are almost impossible to clean.
• Microplastics & Chemicals: Standard 3D printing filaments may contain non-food-grade additives, pigments, or potentially toxic particles.
• Nozzle Contamination: Standard brass nozzles often contain trace amounts of lead, and PTFE-lined hot ends can degrade if exposed to high temperatures.

How to Achieve Food Safety

If you want to print items like cookie cutters, molds, or bowls, follow these essential steps to ensure food contact safety:

1. Use Approved Filaments: Stick to specific grades of PETG, Polypropylene (PP), or specialized, certified PLA filaments that are explicitly marked as food-grade.
2. Upgrade Your Printer Hardware: Use a dedicated, un-worn, all-metal hot end (such as stainless steel or hardened steel) that is free from toxic coatings.
3. Seal the Surface: Coat your finished, washed print with a certified food-safe epoxy resin (like ArtResin) to completely seal the layer lines.
4. Alternative Method: Instead of printing the item itself, print a mold or a decorative outer shell. You can then use the 3D-printed mold to cast a food-safe silicone shape, or simply drop an existing food-safe container into your printed decorative housing

You need to do 1, 2 & 3 OR 4.

Bambu Lab are about to launch a new filament sold as Food contact certified, ignoring all the problems noted above.

The original version was writ as follows until @RetroSharky pointed out my error.

Bambu Lab are about to launch a new filament sold as Food Safe, ignoring all the problems noted above.

https://store.bambulab.com/products/pla-pure

The bullet points from the product page:

• Five ingredients, every one EU food-contact certified
• Low indoor printing emissions, certified to UL GREENGUARD 2904
• Safe for kids to play with, certified to EU toy-safety standards (EN 71)

Interestingly, neither:

• UL GREENGUARD 2904
• EU toy-safety standards (EN 71) ^^

Resolve any or the problems the FDM process introduces.

Will @BambuLab state on the record that this new filament is perfectly safe without additional processes when used with any Bambu Lab printer?

There are so many models on MakerWorld designed to interact with food despite the significant risks and rarely bother informing users that the models are not food safe until steps above are completed.

Fruit and vegetable rinses, ice cube makes, drinks cups. Each one literally designed to allow bacteria to grow and pass to the consumer in addition to the forever plastics.

There are those that think PETG is food safe because of its non-3D printed PET material, it isn’t.

^^ This standard requires the resulting product has no sharp edges among other requirements that can’t be adhered to as Bambu Lab doesn’t denote the eventual model.

[RetroSharky]

@MalcTheOracle

Food Safe

As you’ve already described: It is explicitly described only as food-contact certified…

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food-safe ≠ food-contact certified

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Well, will the consumer understand that? You’re certainly raising an extremely important question. Nevertheless, Bambu is on safe legal ground as long as they only advertise it as food-contact certified.

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• Food-contact certified means a specific material or finished product has passed official migration tests and is legally approved to touch food. Ensures chemical safety only, not hygiene or manufacturing cleanliness.
• Food-safe means the entire final product, in real-world use, will not contaminate food - a broader, higher standard that includes hygiene, design, processing, and actual usage conditions. Applies to the final product, not just the base material.

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This covers Bambu, since one term refers to the raw material used in the process, while the other refers to the final product. But maybe I missed something? Does Bambu mention “food-safe” even once?

Are you worried that Bambu might give the wrong message? Absolutely, definitely! Clear warnings should be posted on the product page. The warning can only be found in the Wiki - Note: This is an automatic translation; there may be errors:

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Although this product has passed relevant compliance tests at the raw material and printout levels, the 3D printing process itself is a multivariate manufacturing process, and the quality and safety of the finished product may still be affected by factors such as equipment conditions, printing environment, operating method and post-processing process. Therefore, it is recommended to confirm the suitability of the printed finished product based on actual usage scenarios.

Pure PLA printed finished products are not recommended for use in the following food contact environments:

• Temperature More than 60℃ Below 0℃ food contact scenarios;
• Acid-alkaline, organic solvents or corrosive liquids;
• Soaking in liquid food for a long time, or being in a high-humidity food contact environment for a long time;
• Prolonged exposure to foods that are high in liquids, oils, or fats, or that are difficult to clean.

[MalcTheOracle]

Good catch.

My point remains though.

So many models are advertised as food safe as they are literally designed to interact with food and drinks, hot, cold and room temperature.

I would like @BambuLab to make a definitive statement on if they and MakerWorld believe these are safe or must be removed unless they have a new tag that uses a check box for downloading or printing to explain how these models are dangerous unless the required corrective measures are performed and the user must agree they are informed and liable.

[RetroSharky]

@MalcTheOracle

So many models are advertised as food safe as they are literally designed to interact with food and drinks, hot, cold and room temperature.

My personal opinion is that: They should just advertise the fact that it produces less vapour. After all, that’s a selling point.

They could also mention the food contact certified further down the page, but they should make the warnings more visible on shop website itself rather than hiding them behind what feels like 10 pages of Wikipedia. Why isn’t that listed on the sales page?

Realistically, customers are probably going to print their own 3D-printed food products anyway. If they’re going to do it, it would be better for them to use this PLA. However, this would be a good opportunity to share a YouTube video to educate people about the dangers by Bambu.

However, that would probably be asking too much. The lack of education is simply the problem and Bambu isn’t really making things any better with its advertising campaign.

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According to Bambu, that’s the target audience - young children who put things in their mouths: Source: Bambu - Pla Pure. I think that’s basically a bad idea, because we all know how PLA can shatter.

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Perhaps advertising specifically targeting young children is even worse than the food issue itself. Especially when parents aren’t aware of it.

[Eponymous]

The words “food safe” appear nowhere in the bambu page linked.

The photo of the child appears nowhere in the bambu page linked. I think that’s from the Chinese site, where different regulations apply, and familes have different cultural awareness.

[MalcTheOracle]

It appears you failed to read my post or the one from @RetroSharky.

@RetroSharky

My personal opinion is that: They should just advertise the fact that it produces less vapour. After all, that’s a selling point.

Again, this is less about the filament, and exactly as I wrote.

@MalcTheOracle

I would like @BambuLab to make a definitive statement on if they and MakerWorld believe these are safe or must be removed unless they have a new tag that uses a check box for downloading or printing to explain how these models are dangerous unless the required corrective measures are performed and the user must agree they are informed and liable.

The filament triggered it. That said, dumb move without providing a full risk analysis with it as the confusion is rife and this will not help anything.

[Eponymous]

i think i did read it, but i don’t think the claims you were discussing were made.

[Blaster]

Working within ISO compliant systems for a long time, I can understand where malctheoracle has gotten stuck. The fact that the plastic is certified is, in practice, merely a valid prerequisite within a production chain that must itself adhere to other regulatory references. I did a brief search because I was certain that surface roughness was a regulatory requirement, but specifically regarding the surfaces of machinery processing food and there’s something into the HACCP as well, I think. In any case, it is the “manufacturer’s” responsibility to know these details; consider that some ISO standards are voluntary, not mandated. The roughness of printed tools is not an issue if the tool is disposable. The real problem is your insistence on washing and reusing it.

[MalcTheOracle]

@Blaster

some ISO standards are voluntary

One of the biggest flags is the 9000 range.

Marketed as quality, yet has nothing to do with it.

The range requires a repeatable process can be repeated and proven, there is nothing requiring the process to be a successful end result.

• Make dough
• Add cocaine
• Bake
• Package
• Label
• Box
• Ship

That qualifies, with cocaine every single time, yet I doubt many would be this is a sign of quality.

Quality only means repeatability.

Yet it would be awarded an ISO 9000 range standard.

Where confusion is liable to be an occurrence, and that leads to health risks, the language must be changed to clearly denote the facts and the required warnings.

Plus, the existing catalog of models marketed by @MakerWorld all stating they can and should be food safe as PLA, PETG, TPU and more are all food safe.

@Blaster

I can understand where malctheoracle has gotten stuck.

Did this mean:

1. I don’t understand why food safe or food contact labels are not achievable using FDM printing?
2. I do understand and you see how I am concerned?

@Blaster

The real problem is your insistence on washing and reusing it.

The drink canisters, dip dispensers, ice cube makers and more and marked as reusable.

[Blaster]

Indeed, ISO 9001 refers only to bureaucracy management and highlighting all involved processes. I don’t even mention it because I take it for granted, just like the ball in a soccer match.

I don’t understand why food safe or food contact labels are not achievable using FDM printing?

You keep overthinking it. The material passes certification, but the process doesn’t. If you buy certified fabric for medical gauze and then have it sewn by hand by walruses directly on the freight dock, it’s clear that whoever uses it will end up with a serious infection.

The drink canisters, dip dispensers, ice cube makers and more and marked as reusable.

I admit I haven’t seen anything. I only read the technical data sheet part. “Food safe” means the plastic doesn’t release toxic substances, which is the bare minimum. As for the ice cube molds, I’ll just say this: if someone is foolish enough to make mint popsicles in FDM molds, they’d better suck on them slowly, as I wouldn’t want their little brains to freeze… and I’ll say no more

[MalcTheOracle]

@Blaster

You keep overthinking it.

Nope.

@Blaster

The material passes certification, but the process doesn’t.

I don’t say otherwise.

In fact I state it as a contributing fact to the lack of understanding and confusion as people see food safe, food contact certified and think it can be used as safely as a purchased item.

It can’t. The only way to achieve this is to perform one of the two tasks I stated above.

@Blaster

If you buy certified fabric for medical gauze and then have it sewn by hand by walruses directly on the freight dock,

An excellent example that doesn’t meet the scenarios I outline.

• Bambu Lab are selling a material marketed as something which is food contact safe without saying the important part out loud, what DOES that mean and what that DOESN’T mean.
• MakerWorld allows models to be marketed as food safe which are not and Bambu Lab, who owns the service is reasonable.

Food Safe: Refers to the finished product . A food-safe item is made of food-grade materials and is certified to be safe for its specific, intended application.

The new Bambu Lab filament is not the finished product, it is only once printed. Once printed it is not safe for use with food, liquids or other biological consumables. This is because the FDM processes introduce factors that negate any food contact or food safe end product.

To ensure food contact items are safe, they must generally be manufactured under strict standards (such as Good Manufacturing Practices).

Yet, there are no guides or other instructions as to how this is achievable from Bambu Lab.

I imagine rubbing a roll of PLA Pure against food or submerging it in liquid may technically be safe, but that is not its intended purpose or use case.

PRUSA did the decent thing and published a blog post explaining everything for their customers and repeatedly remind people that unless every single factor is accounted for and the final print is coated in a non-3D printable coating, it isn’t food safe or just safe with regards to health.

How to make food-grade 3D printed models - Original Prusa 3D Printers

The marketing materials from Bambu Lab about PLA Pure fail to mention that certain nozzles (installed as default in some printers) add to the introduced toxins.

All I am asking for is @BambuLab correct their marketing materials on the subject and if they choose to continue allowing models the entire professional 3D printing works already knows are unsafe, they add sufficient information to each to state the significant risks.

[MZip]

Unfortunately I doubt anything about the marketing will change. They have a product now whose claim to fame is low emissions while printing and a food “safety” certification. Bet the only way anything changes is if it just doesn’t sell.

Few appreciate the potential dangers of all the models on MW designed to be in contact with food already, without food-safe filaments, and nothing visible at least is being done with them.

Safety is generally an afterthought anyway. People get caught up in new shiny and don’t stop to think about possible dangers. Then the “wet blankets” show up (myself included) who mention this or that danger but most won’t even bother reading to see what the fuss is about. The “authority” said it was safe so don’t harsh my mellow as I print teething rings for babies, ok?

Here’s where personal responsibility comes into play as well as the adage about “a word to the wise”.

Unfortunately many are now knee-jerk conditioned to react negatively if anyone tries to tell them something that might prevent some kind of health issue. You’re the nanny state, telling them what they can and can’t do, etc. Lead a horse to water kind of thing but now with companies with profits associated with ignoring issues and a regulatory climate moving more and more to looking the other way.

As some like to say, “do your research” — but not the interwebs, youtube influencer, message board full of amateurs kind of researrch. Actual reviewed scientific research by people who have decades of experience and aren’t farming likes, subscriptions, and bells. A bit harder to read than gushing children breathlessly showing off their chew toys full of filament poops, but way more factual information about potential dangers.

Two sides to every coin. Manufacturers who minimize or don’t mention safety concerns vs an informed public that understands the dangers when presented to them and shuns said manufacturers for producing products marketed for use in dangerous ways. If you have the latter, the former is much less dangerous.

[MZip]

A quick search on food safety and 3d printing turns up a lot of information - some good, some bad, some bizarre.

Turns out it’s really easy to make printed parts safe from food residues:

• Ethylene Oxide gas (EtO)

• Hydrogen peroxide gas plasma

• Gamma radiation

• Autoclave

• Flash autoclave

I’m sure everyone here has a gamma source or a hydrogen peroxide gas plasma! Problem solved. No big deal.

Sarcasm aside, 3d printed items can be made food safe but I’d bet few even know how or that it’s even needed when they see ads for “food safe” filament.

Anyone making things people will put in their mouths or use in food preparation needs to look into the issues. Some can be mitigated but others can;t depending on the application, model, plastic, etc.

[MalcTheOracle]

Yeah the only way to make 3D printed (FDM) parts food safe is a post processing process.

@MalcTheOracle

How to Achieve Food Safety

If you want to print items like cookie cutters, molds, or bowls, follow these essential steps to ensure food contact safety:

1. Use Approved Filaments: Stick to specific grades of PETG, Polypropylene (PP), or specialized, certified PLA filaments that are explicitly marked as food-grade.
2. Upgrade Your Printer Hardware: Use a dedicated, un-worn, all-metal hot end (such as stainless steel or hardened steel) that is free from toxic coatings.
3. Seal the Surface: Coat your finished, washed print with a certified food-safe epoxy resin (like ArtResin) to completely seal the layer lines.
4. Alternative Method: Instead of printing the item itself, print a mold or a decorative outer shell. You can then use the 3D-printed mold to cast a food-safe silicone shape, or simply drop an existing food-safe container into your printed decorative housing

You need to do 1, 2 & 3 OR 4.

Ironically, using a mold from a 3D print avoid mould from the 3D print.

[Blaster]

I think the Chinese have their own HACCP standards I recently saw a nice documentary about stinky tofu production… i recommend it to you

[MalcTheOracle]

@Blaster

I think the Chinese have their own HACCP standards

If items are sold internationally, they must adhere to the legal requirements in each of those countries.

@Blaster

I recently saw a nice documentary about stinky tofu production

I enjoy a good documentary.

@Blaster

i recommend it to you

I looked, there are so many, do you have a link?

I thought it said “…human stinky…”.

[3dEd]

I like to have Cheerios for breakfast. I usually buy the big boxes because it is more economical to do so. The problem is that when one gets to the bottom of the box, the cereal is awash in crumbs. In order to filter out the crumbs I created a 3D printed strainer,

I am quite confident that my strainer is safe enough to use.

@MalcTheOracle

One of the biggest flags is the 9000 range.

Marketed as quality, yet has nothing to do with it.

I worked at a few companies as they did things like adopt Japanese quality management techniques and the implementation of ISO 900x standards. To me, it was a pain in the backside because I was often tasked to generate the necessary documents and procedures. The general idea behind ISO 900x is that if a company has procedures that are documented and followed, that the end products tend to be of a higher quality.

At first it appeared to me to be just another of those exercises where management, not knowing what to do, gave us a bunch of busy work. Nonetheless, the implementation of ISO 9001 standards have been shown to increase quality to a significant degree. I think it has a lot to do with individual workers cutting corners and being inconsistent, unless there are enforceable guidelines to follow. It also aligns with the idea that people are best governed by laws and regulations rather than by individuals.

[MalcTheOracle]

@3dEd

I am quite confident that my strainer is safe enough to use.

It isn’t, but if you will die depends on how you clean it.

Much of the issues are related to contact with the model where moisture (food or liquid) gets stuck in the imperceptible gaps between and isn’t easy, often impossible to clean thoroughly, resulting in bacteria that you can’t see adding itself to subsequent usage of the model.

Dry food is ‘more’ safe, but it is like saying you can survive electrocuting yourself. It isn’t fun and luck runs out.

@3dEd

Nonetheless, the implementation of ISO 9001 standards have been shown to increase quality to a significant degree.

Only in companies interested in increasing quality. Many are only interested in obtaining a mark that most people think means quality (as it is pitched that way) when it is only about repetition.

[Blaster]

I admit was not China but Indonesia oopss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPyRAcdZHDo I a nice documentary i randomly stepped into. I saw a lot of them for real, stinky tofu is another thing, ex that’s made with molds or bacteria like a ton of cheese products
In any case this doesnt change the previous HACCP joke… I hope none get me wrong, I love asia and my very first batch of centenary eggs is ready for the opening… I hope to don’t die lol… I pit em into caustic soda for a week..and please note the type of soda was not easy to find… but It was about me and not the “sites” talking just about soda..
hope you catch the analogy

[MalcTheOracle]

A good documentary, it was concerning though that the host continued to eats lots of the thing he explained was so dangerous to eat.