Can I Use This Valve, Fitting, or Coupling in My Sugaring Operation?

Food Safety Spotlight from VMSMA's Fall 2026 Newsletter

By Ellie Palmer, VMSMA Maple Food Safety Manager

Not all valves, fittings, and couplings found on the market are safe for contact with sap and syrup. Whether using them in the woods, on a portable tank, or in the sugarhouse, it's important to verify whether plumbing components are rated for their use and won't contaminate the syrup you work so hard to make.

One of the benefits of being a VMSMA member is that we've done the leg work for you and vetted the food safety status of the below plumbing components. The status listed is based on written documentation we've gathered directly from the manufacturers.

UPDATES: We will have updates soon on components by Praher and Banjo. We are awaiting some detailed manufacturers' information before we share details.

What Makes a Plumbing Component Unsafe for Contact with Sap & Syrup?

• Sometimes it's the colorant that contains chemicals known to be harmful to human health. 
• Sometimes it's the plastic resin itself - especially if it contains a lot of post-consumer recycled content which can contain unknown contaminants in the pores of the plastic resin.