FDA and USDA Compliant

Though the USDA, State Health Department, and FDA do not approve specific products for ceiling use, they do supply an outline of requirements that must be met by any ceiling tile installed in areas where food is prepared. Ceilume Ceiling Tiles are fully compliant with USDA, State Health Department, and FDA requirements. Because each installation needs to be approved by a health inspector, we suggest ordering samples of our commercial kitchen ceiling tiles to show your inspector before placing a full order.

FDA Food Code: Chapter 6 - Physical Facilities

Indoor Areas

6-101.11 Surface Characteristics

  1. Except as specified in (B.) of this section, materials for indoor floor, wall, and ceiling surfaces under conditions of normal use shall be:
    1. SMOOTH, durable, and EASILY CLEANABLE for areas where FOOD ESTABLISHMENT operations are conducted;
    2. Closely woven and EASILY CLEANABLE carpet for carpeted areas; and
    3. Nonabsorbent for areas subject to moisture such as FOOD preparation areas, walk-in refrigerators, WAREWASHING areas, toilet rooms, mobile FOOD ESTABLISHMENT SERVICING AREAS, and areas subject to flushing or spray cleaning methods.
  2. In a TEMPORARY FOOD ESTABLISHMENT:
    1. If graded to drain, a floor may be concrete, machine-laid asphalt, or dirt or gravel if it is covered with mats, removable platforms, duckboards, or other APPROVED materials that are effectively treated to control dust and mud; and
    2. Walls and ceilings may be constructed of a material that protects the interior from the weather and wind-blown dust and debris.

Cleanability

6-201.11 Floors, Walls, and Ceilings

  • Except as specified under § 6-201.14 and except for anti-slip floor coverings or applications that may be used for safety reasons, floors, floor coverings, walls, wall coverings, and ceilings shall be designed, constructed, and installed so they are SMOOTH and EASILY CLEANABLE.

6-201.12 Floors, Walls, and Ceilings, Utility Lines

  1. Utility service lines and pipes may not be unnecessarily exposed.
  2. Exposed utility service lines and pipes shall be installed so they do not obstruct or prevent cleaning of the floors, walls, or ceilings.
  3. Exposed horizontal utility service lines and pipes may not be installed on the floor.

USDA Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: Title 21 - Food and Drugs

§ 110.20 Plant and Grounds

  1. Plant construction and design. Plant buildings and structures shall be suitable in size, construction, and design to facilitate maintenance and sanitary operations for food-manufacturing purposes. The plant and facilities shall:
    1. Be constructed in such a manner that floors, walls, and ceilings may be adequately cleaned and kept clean and kept in good repair; that drip or condensate from fixtures, ducts and pipes does not contaminate food, food-contact surfaces, or food-packaging materials; and that aisles or working spaces are provided between equipment and walls and are adequately unobstructed and of adequate width to permit employees to perform their duties and to protect against contaminating food or food-contact surfaces with clothing or personal contact.
    2. Provide adequate lighting in hand-washing areas, dressing and locker rooms, and toilet rooms and in all areas where food is examined, processed, or stored and where equipment or utensils are cleaned; and provide safety-type light bulbs, fixtures, skylights, or other glass suspended over exposed food in any step of preparation or otherwise protect against food contamination in case of glass breakage.