What 'USDA-approved' actually means
There's no single USDA stamp on a coating product. Instead, USDA inspectors evaluate the installed system in context — does it provide a smooth, cleanable, durable, non-toxic surface compatible with sanitation protocols? Manufacturers will list their products as USDA-acceptable when those criteria are met.
What an inspector looks for
Beyond the floor itself, inspectors examine cove base, drain detailing, wall transitions, and the overall finish. A pinhole, a hairline crack, or a poorly detailed cove can fail an audit even if the bulk of the floor is compliant.
- ›Smooth, cleanable, sealed surface
- ›Integral coved base at all wall transitions
- ›Properly graded drainage
- ›Chemical resistance to your specific cleaning chemistries
- ›No pinholes, cracks, or delamination
Recommended systems
For wet processing — meat, poultry, dairy — urethane cement is the most reliable USDA-compliant flooring. For dry processing and packaging, high-build epoxy systems are typically sufficient. We install both.
