What Is Food Grade Stainless Steel? Grades, FSSAI Rules & How to Choose (India Guide)
Food grade stainless steel is the class judged safe for direct food contact: corrosion-resistant, non-toxic, and non-reactive with food acids and salts. It's also easy to clean. This isn't a single legal grade number but a suitability class. In India, the reference food-grade grades are austenitic SS 304, the 18/8 kitchen workhorse, and SS 316, which carries molybdenum and suits salty, acidic and dairy use. Steer clear of the 200-series economy grades, 202, 201 and 204Cu, for direct or acidic food contact. That's the straight answer on which stainless steel is food safe in India.
This guide uses "food grade stainless steel," "food-grade SS," "food safe stainless steel" and "food grade steel" interchangeably; they all describe the same suitability class. Every grade discussed here is a genuine Jindal Stainless (JSL) flat product, made by the stainless mill itself, not Jindal SAW, JSPL or JSW's carbon-steel and pipe businesses. Two mix-ups come up constantly, so let's clear them now: in trade talk, "surgical grade" usually just means 316. And "food grade" describes a suitability class, not one specific grade number.
By the Relinox Technical Team, Jindal Stainless MoU partner, based at Ajmeri Gate, one of Delhi's main stainless steel markets.
What is food grade stainless steel? (quick answer)
Food grade stainless steel is any stainless steel that can touch food directly: it stands up to corrosion from food acids and salts, doesn't leach toxic elements, stays inert against whatever it's holding, and cleans up hygienically. People often ask which stainless steel is food grade, or in trade Hindi, food grade steel kaun sa hai. The practical answer is the austenitic 300-series: SS 304 for everyday kitchen work, utensils and food equipment, moving up to SS 316 when salt, acid or harsh cleaning enters the picture. "Food safe stainless steel" and "food grade steel" are just two names for the same thing. It's a suitability class, not a legal grade code. So the right question isn't "is this the food-grade number?" It's "does this grade hold up under my actual food and cleaning conditions?"
Why stainless steel is safe for food: the passive layer
Stainless steel is food-safe because of its chromium content. At roughly 10.5% chromium or more, the surface forms a thin, self-repairing passive chromium-oxide layer. That film is what makes it non-toxic, non-reactive and corrosion-resistant. It blocks reaction with food acids and salts, and it heals itself if scratched. That's why properly specified stainless doesn't meaningfully leach under normal food use. Does stainless leach? A correctly chosen food-grade grade doesn't, not under ordinary cooking, storage and washing. Austenitic grades add nickel for stability, formability and easy cleaning. That combination is exactly why they dominate food contact work.
18/8 stainless steel, the marking behind common cutlery labels, refers to roughly 18% chromium and 8% nickel, that's SS 304. 18/10 stainless steel (the 18/10 stainless steel meaning most people are actually searching for) comes from the same family but runs closer to 10% nickel, and it gets marketed as premium cutlery. Both grades are food grade. The extra nickel in 18/10 just adds a bit more polish and a slightly wider corrosion margin; it doesn't put the metal in a different safety class.
| Marking | ≈ %Cr / %Ni | Grade & typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 18/10 | ~18% Cr / ~10% Ni | Austenitic (304-type), premium cutlery & tableware |
| 18/8 | ~18% Cr / ~8% Ni | SS 304, the standard food-grade utensil & sheet grade |
| 18/0 | ~18% Cr / 0% Ni | SS 430 (ferritic, magnetic), budget utensil/appliance bodies |
Which stainless steel grades are food grade? (verdict table)
Here is the grade-by-grade verdict, the answer to is 304 food grade, is ss 304 food grade, is 316 food grade, is 316l food grade, is 202 food grade, is 201 food grade, is 204cu food grade and is 430 food grade in one place. Full composition and mechanical data live on each grade page (values per ASTM A240 / IS 6911); this table gives the food-contact verdict and where each grade fits.
| Grade | Family | Nickel? | Magnetic? | Food-contact verdict | Best for | Grade page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS 304 (18/8) | Austenitic | Yes (~8%) | Largely non-magnetic | ✓ Default food grade | Kitchens, utensils, food equipment | SS 304 |
| SS 304L | Austenitic | Yes | Largely non-magnetic | ✓ Food grade, low-carbon for welds | Welded food & dairy fabrication | SS 304L |
| SS 316 | Austenitic | Yes (~10%) + Mo | Largely non-magnetic | ✓ High-corrosion food grade ("surgical grade") | Dairy CIP, salty/acidic foods, coastal | SS 316 |
| SS 316L | Austenitic | Yes + Mo | Largely non-magnetic | ✓ Low-carbon 316, food grade | Welded dairy/pharma food equipment | SS 316L |
| SS 430 (18/0) | Ferritic | No | Magnetic | ~ Limited, dry/non-acidic contact only | Appliance panels, budget utensil bodies | SS 430 |
| SS 202 | 200-series | Low | May show magnetism | ✗ Not recommended for direct/acidic food | Economy, non-food fabrication | SS 202 |
| SS 201 / 204Cu | 200-series | Low | May show magnetism | ✗ Not recommended for direct/acidic food | Economy coil, non-food use | SS 201 · 204Cu |
316/316L stands as the best food grade stainless steel, the highest food grade for demanding, aggressive service. For everyday use, 304 remains the top pick. The 202/201/204Cu economy grades run high in manganese and low in nickel, which leaves them with weaker corrosion resistance. That's why they don't hold up well for direct or acidic food contact. Check is 202 safe for food, 202 vs 304 and 201/204Cu vs 304 for the full breakdown. Anyone weighing 304 against 316 for food use should read 304 vs 316 for food.
Food grade vs surgical grade
On surgical grade vs food grade stainless steel: they come from the same metal family. "Surgical grade" is really just trade shorthand. Is 316 surgical grade? Broadly, yes, the term usually points to 316, thanks to its molybdenum content, while "food grade" is the wider category that covers both 304 and 316. There's no separate legal "surgical" grade number for sheet stock. Both are austenitic stainless made to the same standards.
Is food grade stainless steel magnetic?
Magnetism isn't a food-grade test. On the question of is food grade stainless steel magnetic, and the related myth, is magnetic stainless food grade, the truth cuts the other way. 304 and 316 are largely non-magnetic, though heavy cold work can leave them slightly magnetic. 430 is magnetic yet still stainless. A fridge magnet sticking, or refusing to stick, tells you nothing about food safety or grade. Check the grade instead. The full magnet-and-spot-test method is laid out in how to identify real SS 304.
FSSAI & food-contact rules in India
In India, FSSAI (the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) governs food-contact materials, not brand names. There's no such thing as "FSSAI-branded" steel, only material meeting the applicable specification. The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations set the framework, and food-contact utensils and equipment point back to the relevant BIS specifications. Buyers often search for fssai approved stainless steel, fssai stainless steel grade, or fssai approved stainless steel grades. Here's the honest answer: food-grade austenitic stainless such as 304 or 316, made to the applicable standard, is accepted for food contact. Still, confirm the exact clause and the applicable BIS/IS specification for your product before you build to it. The metal itself is produced to ASTM A240 / IS 6911 for sheet, strip and plate. Every Jindal heat carries a mill test certificate, which you can request against your indent.
How to choose food-grade stainless steel by use
Match the grade and finish to the job. This covers the usual questions people ask about food grade stainless steel for kitchen use, food grade stainless steel for utensils and cookware, food grade stainless steel for dairy and food processing, and food grade stainless steel for water tanks and drinking water.
| Use | Recommended grade | Finish | Application page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen equipment | SS 304 | 2B or No.4 | Kitchen equipment |
| Utensils & cookware (circles) | SS 304 (18/8); 18/10 for premium cutlery | 2B / BA / mirror | Utensils & kitchenware |
| Dairy & food processing (CIP) | SS 316 / 316L | No.4 or better | Dairy & food processing |
| Drinking-water storage tank | SS 304 (316 if brackish) | 2B | Water storage tanks |
| High-salt & coastal food service | SS 316 / 316L | 2B / No.4 | Pharma & dairy equipment |
Rule of thumb: default to 304. The moment salt, acid or aggressive CIP cleaning enters the picture, step up to 316/316L.
Specs that matter: finish, thickness & size
For food contact use, a smooth finish matters just as much as the grade. Smoother surfaces harbour fewer bacteria, and they clean faster. The food grade stainless steel finish comes in three options: 2B, BA and No.4.
| Finish | Look | Why food-suitable |
|---|---|---|
| 2B | Smooth, mildly reflective cold-rolled | Standard hygienic surface; easy to clean, general food equipment |
| BA (bright annealed) | Bright, mirror-like | Very smooth, low bacterial retention; premium utensils/tableware |
| No.4 (satin) | Fine directional brushed | Scratch-hiding yet cleanable; worktops & heavy-use equipment |
For how these finishes are produced and compared, see SS finishes explained. On food grade stainless steel thickness and gauge for kitchen work: food equipment sheet is commonly 0.5–3 mm (about 26–11 gauge), with heavier plate for structural or high-wear parts. Standard sheet size is 8×4 ft (1250×2500 mm), the food grade stainless steel 8x4 sheet most fabricators order, plus 4×10 and 5×10 sizes, and circles blanked for utensils and cookware. Forms available include sheet, patta/strip (food grade ss patta / food grade ss patti), circles and plate.
Buying genuine food-grade sheet (why Relinox)
Relinox Stainless is an authorized Jindal Stainless MoU partner, supplying genuine JSL-melted food grade stainless steel sheet (food grade ss sheet), not re-rolled bazaar stock. Searches like food grade stainless steel sheet manufacturer, food grade stainless steel supplier, food grade ss sheet dealer, stockist, or trader all point back to the same requirement: genuine, mill-certified material. We are a distributor, stockist and supplier of flat products, sourced on Jindal base. Backing every dispatch is a mill test certificate (MTC) confirming conformance to ASTM A240 / IS 6911 as produced by Jindal Stainless. Request one against your indent.
Buyers looking for jindal food grade stainless steel sheet or jindal 304 food grade material can read more on the Jindal Stainless MoU partnership and our quality & mill test certificates. If you want a food grade stainless steel dealer/stockist in delhi, we are based at Ajmeri Gate, one of Delhi's main stainless steel markets, with pan-India dispatch, see Delhi stainless steel sheet dealer.
On food grade stainless steel price and price per kg: MTC certified 304 and 316 stainless steel come at prices that shift daily, since alloy costs move with the market, so we don't print a fixed rate here. For today's food grade stainless steel sheet price list or rate today, including a food grade ss sheet price per kg in your city, check the dated indicative SS 304 sheet price and SS 316 sheet price lists. Or send your requirement through the RFQ form with grade, finish, size and quantity, and we'll get back to you with a quote along with the MTC.
Related guides & resources
- SS 304 vs SS 316 for food, the 304-or-316 food decision in full.
- Is 202 safe for food? 202 vs 304 · 201/204Cu vs 304, why 200-series economy grades are not recommended for food.
- How to identify real SS 304, the magnet and spot-test method for spotting genuine 304.
- SS finishes explained, 2B, BA and No.4 for hygienic surfaces.
- Grade pages: SS 304 · SS 316 · SS 316L · SS 430 · all grades.
- Applications: kitchen equipment · utensils & kitchenware · dairy & food processing · water storage tanks.
- Standards: ASTM A240 · IS 6911. Products: stainless steel sheets · circles.
Frequently asked questions
Which stainless steel is food grade?
SS 304 (18/8) is the go-to food-grade stainless across Indian kitchens, utensils and food equipment. SS 316/316L takes over where salt, acid or dairy CIP cleaning comes into play. Both are austenitic. Both resist corrosion and stay non-reactive with food.
Is 304 stainless steel food grade?
Yes. SS 304 (about 18% chromium, 8% nickel) is the stainless steel you'll find most often in Indian kitchens, utensils and food equipment. It's the standard choice for food-grade work. For the full spec, check the SS 304 grade page.
Is 316 food grade, and is it "surgical grade"?
Yes, SS 316 adds about 2–3% molybdenum for better resistance to salt and acid, and it's the grade traders call "surgical grade." Reach for it with dairy, briny or acidic foods, and anywhere near the coast.
Is 202 stainless steel safe for food?
SS 202 and 201 are high-manganese, low-nickel economy grades. Their corrosion resistance is weaker, which is why we don't recommend them for direct or acidic food contact. Go with 304 instead; see our 202 vs 304 guide.
Is food grade stainless steel magnetic?
Not reliably. SS 304 and 316 are largely non-magnetic, though slight magnetism can turn up after forming. 430 is magnetic but still stainless steel. A magnet proves nothing about food grade, check the grade itself, not whether it sticks.
Is stainless steel FSSAI approved?
FSSAI regulates food-contact materials, not brands, under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations. Food-grade stainless such as 304 or 316 is accepted for food contact if it meets the applicable specification, but confirm the exact clause and BIS/IS spec for your product.
What grade is used for utensils and cookware?
Commonly, it's SS 304 (18/8) for sheet and circles. Premium cutlery gets marked 18/10, while some appliance bodies or budget utensils use 430 (18/0). See our utensils & kitchenware application page.
Does food grade stainless steel leach or is it toxic?
Properly specified food-grade stainless is non-toxic and non-reactive. Its self-repairing passive chromium-oxide layer resists leaching under normal food storage, cooking and washing.
Food grade vs surgical grade, what's the difference?
They belong to the same metal family. "Surgical grade" usually refers to 316, which contains molybdenum, whereas "food grade" is the broader category that covers both 304 and 316.
What does 18/8 mean?
It means about 18% chromium and 8% nickel, the marking for 300-series austenitic (304-type) food-grade stainless steel. 18/10 is the same family, just pushed to around 10% nickel instead.
Can I get a mill test certificate for food-grade sheet?
Genuine Jindal-melted material comes with a mill test certificate (MTC) confirming conformance to ASTM A240 / IS 6911. Ask for it against your indent.
What thickness and size should I order?
Food equipment typically uses 0.5–3 mm (about 26–11 gauge) sheet, with a standard size of 8×4 ft (1250×2500 mm), plus circles for utensils. Send your exact size and quantity through the RFQ form so we can confirm availability.