It's one of our most frequently asked questions: Are your barrels food-grade? This article answers that question, including important definitions used in the industry to determine what kinds of containers are suitable for different uses.
When shopping for water barrels—especially the popular blue plastic drums that we sell in our online store—you’ll often come across terms like “food grade” and “food safe.” These labels sound similar, but when it comes to used barrels, the distinction matters.
At BlueBarrel, we specialize in reclaimed 55-gallon drums made of #2 HDPE (high-density polyethylene)—a durable, FDA-approved plastic. But here’s the key point: just because a barrel is made of food-grade plastic doesn’t mean it’s food safe.
Let’s break it down.
What is Food Grade Plastic?
Food grade refers to the type of plastic used to make the barrel. In our case, that’s #2 HDPE, a strong, chemical-resistant plastic commonly used in:
-
Milk jugs
-
Juice bottles
-
Food storage containers
New HDPE drums are manufactured in clean environments and can legally be used to transport food and drink.
✅ Used barrels like ours are made of food-grade plastic.
Why Used Barrels are Not Food Safe
Even though our drums are made from food-grade material, they are used—which disqualifies them from food-safe certification.
Most of our barrels previously held edible products like syrup, vinegar, or food flavorings.
Some contained "food-grade" cleaning agents (e.g. sanitizers for commercial kitchens and labs). This is an obvious case-in-point that "food-grade" doesn't actually mean safe to eat or drink.
Whether it contained food products or cleaning agents, once a barrel has been used, it can no longer be guaranteed as clean enough for drinking water or food use.
Tip for BlueBarrel customers: If you're wary of the sanitizing chemicals, choose barrels that contained food products. We list all prior contents for each of our participating barrel pickup locations in our online store. That said, a barrel that contained sanitizing agents (think bleach or ethyl alcohol), will be about the cleanest barrel you could ask for!
Used barrels are not food safe under FDA guidelines and should not be used for potable water or consumables.
What Does “Food Safe” Actually Mean?
Food safe means that a container is:
-
Made from food-grade material
-
Never used or fully certified for reuse
-
In compliance with FDA or NSF safety standards
Only new, never-used barrels are truly food safe.
Summary: Food Grade vs. Food Safe
| Term | Meaning | Used Blue Barrels? |
|---|---|---|
| Food Grade | Made from plastic suitable for food contact (e.g., #2 HDPE) | ✅ Yes |
| Food Safe | Certified safe for storing food or drinking water | ❌ No |
What Are Used Barrels Good For?
Our reclaimed blue barrels are perfect for non-potable water storage, and other uses including:
-
DIY composters or compost tea brewers
-
Livestock watering
- Non-potable uses like cleaning and toilet flushing
-
Floating docks, boats, ballasts, and more!
They're a sustainable, affordable way to reuse high-quality materials without sending them to landfill.
A BlueBarrel Rainwater Catchment System® is made from food-grade barrels. This speaks to the high quality and durability of the plastic, but does not mean "food safe." Rainwater collected from the roof is non-potable, but when stored properly (as shown), it's the highest quality irrigation water available!
Looking for "Food Safe" Barrels?
If you need a barrel for drinking water, brewing, or food storage, be sure to buy a new, FDA-compliant container from a certified supplier. These are typically more expensive but required for safe food use.
