I harvested over 15 pounds of cucumbers today, and I’m out of containers to ferment-pickle them in. So, after a quick Google search, I headed to Home Depot to pick up a food-grade 5-gallon bucket.
When I got there, I looked the bucket over and didn’t see the labeling I expected.
It said: “manufactured using food grade resin.”
I searched Lowe’s website, and they have the same Leaktite “food-grade resin” bucket at their stores.
The wording looked strange to me, so I searched further while I was at the store.
Lowe’s also has an online-only version of the bucket, and that one says “food grade container, safe for use with food.”
What’s the difference between “manufactured with food grade resin” and “food grade container, safe for use with food?”
I looked at a bunch of the questions that Leaktite answered on the retailers’ website. One of the answers amounted to “I don’t know, we specialize in DIY.”
Just because a bucket is made from food-grade resin, that doesn’t make it food-grade, right? What about the other compounds used? Release agents? Is there a quality difference?
If it was a food-grade container, why does Leaktite make a distinction between “made with food-grade resin” and “safe for use with food?”
I’ve purchased FDA-complaint direct-food-contact buckets online before, but I just need one right now, not a couple plus the high shipping fee.
I think the bucket *should* be fine. But then why sell a different bucket with different and clearer language?
Tractor Supply has a “heavy-duty, food-grade plastic pail.”
It was too late to head there tonight – it looks like I’ll be visiting Tractor Supply in the morning.
Zooming in on the label on the bucket, it says “food grade.”
That’s what I need it to say to feel more comfortable with.
Ace Hardware also has buckets that they specifically advertise as being “safe for use with food.”
Am I overthinking it? Yup. But that’s no excuse for the confusing language. The cynic in me thinks that “made with food grade resin” sounds like they cheaped out on other steps or materials that would allowed for “safe for use with food” labeling. And if not, why the different labels?
Hopefully I can find a food-safe container tomorrow that I can be comfortable with.
