Are Hardwood Mash Paddles FDA-Compliant?

With stricter FDA regulations in place, it’s time to make the right choice when it comes to the tools and containers you use in your brewery. With beer qualifying as food, you have FSMA, and potentially HACCP, requirements to follow to make sure you are compliant.

Next up in Union Jack’s Product Battle Series is “The Paddle Battle” ... so, let’s get started!

Increase your paddle IQ
Your paddles are a critical tool in your brewery. There’s no time for clumps of grain or dough balls in your mash. And, your wort may need a good stir, too. We can appreciate having a beautiful, hand-crafted hardwood mash paddle for your brewery. Or saving some money and purchasing a wooden or plastic retail boat oar. But before grabbing a paddle that isn’t purpose-built for food contact, review the  new FSMA regulations and prepare for your next audit. You need to choose a paddle that not only does the job, but also meets food safety standards for breweries. Our paddles are hygienic and virtually unbreakable with no bending, splintering or chemical finishes like you can get with wooden paddles. Let's examine three paddle options from Union Jack:

• Color-coded, FDA-Compliant Plastic Paddles
  These paddles are made of one-piece solid polypropylene construction, making them easy to clean. Heat-resistant, heavy duty and durable, they are a lightweight alternative to metal paddles. The tapered edges won’t scratch your mash tuns or brew kettles. They come in 5 colors for HACCP food safety programs, with or without holes in various lengths, and having working temperatures up to 176°F (a higher temperature range may be possible with intermittent use).  Shop here.
  
  

  

• Stainless Steel Paddles
  Constructed from 100% heavy duty, type 304 stainless steel, these paddles are corrosion resistant and built to last. They are fully welded and completely seamless to ensure that there are no spaces where bacteria can get trapped, making them extremely hygienic and easy to clean. Surprisingly light weight, they come with or without holes in various lengths and having working temperatures up to 212°F (heat resistant gloves should always be used).  Shop here.
  
  

  

• Polyester/Stainless Steel Paddles
  These paddles are made of a high heat resistant blades and stainless steel handles with a color-coded hanging cap (available in 6 colors for HACCP food safety programs). The blades and the stainless steel handles are hygienically designed. They do not come apart (there are no screw fittings) and the connection is made very tightly to prevent contaminates from building up where the tubing joins the molding. The tapered edges won’t scratch your mash tuns or brew kettles. They come with solid blades (no holes) in a 60” length, and having working temperatures up to 500 °F (heat resistant gloves should always be used).  Shop here.

Retail marine paddles don’t measure up
Although traditional brewing paddles made of hardwood are still popular, today’s FDA regulations spelled out in FSMA clearly require a more hygienic choice for use in your brewery. Even the aluminum/plastic marine paddles bought at retail stores are not food contact approved – and it’s important to remember that beer is now considered food by the FDA. Neither of these paddles options are made of FDA-approved materials, come in color-coding options, nor are they rated for high temperatures. Wooden paddles pose serious additional risks: splintering, holding bacteria when not sealed/laminated, and are often being sealed with laminates containing chemicals considered dangerous by California’s Proposition 65 law.

Below is a summary comparison of some of our FDA-compliant paddles with non-food safe paddles:

Make the right choice and check out more details on our paddles at https://www.unionjacktools.com/brewery-paddles/.

Union Jack -- Your Partner in FSMA /HACCP Compliance