Silicone Material Knowledge

Everything you need to know about food-grade silicone, platinum vs. peroxide curing, safety certifications, and why more brands are choosing silicone

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Introduction

Silicone has become one of the most widely used materials in baby products, kitchenware, travel accessories, and pet supplies. Its flexibility, durability, and heat resistance make it a go-to choice for manufacturers and brands worldwide.

But as silicone products proliferate, so do questions about their safety, environmental impact, and quality differences. Not all silicone is created equal. Understanding material grades, curing methods, and certifications is essential for making informed sourcing decisions—whether you're a consumer choosing a product for your family or a brand developing a product line.

This guide answers the most frequently asked questions about silicone, covering safety, certifications, durability, environmental impact, and why platinum-cured silicone has become the premium choice for baby and food-contact products.

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Is Silicone Safe for Food Contact?

The Short Answer: Yes — When It's Food-Grade

Food-grade silicone is a type of silicone that has been tested and certified by the FDA to be safe for contact with food. The FDA has approved food-grade silicone for use in a variety of kitchen products, including baking molds, cupcake liners, ice cube trays, food storage bags, and reusable straws.

What "Food-Grade" Means

FDA food-grade silicone complies with strict U.S. FDA standards for food contact under 21 CFR Part 177.2600. This regulation ensures the material is suitable for applications where it will come into contact with food during manufacturing, handling, or storage.

Key requirements include:

• Extractables limits — the material must not release harmful substances into food

• Composition standards — only specific, approved ingredients can be used

• Manufacturing controls — consistent quality and purity

What the Experts Say

The FDA has approved food-grade silicone for use in a variety of kitchen products, and it is considered safe when used within temperature limits and cleaned according to manufacturer guidelines.

Health Canada conducted a 2023 assessment and found that siloxanes (compounds released from silicone) are not harmful to human health or to the environment.

Bottom line: Food-grade silicone from reputable manufacturers is safe for food contact. The key is choosing products that are properly certified and using them within their intended temperature ranges.

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Part 2: Platinum Silicone vs. Peroxide Silicone

The Fundamental Difference

Silicone can be cured using two different methods: platinum cure (addition cure) and peroxide cure (free radical cure) .

Why Platinum Silicone Is Preferred for Baby Products

Platinum-cured silicones are characterised by their physiological harmlessness, absence of residues and excellent transparency – making them ideal for sensitive applications where no outgassing or residues are permitted.

Peroxide-cured silicone is a common choice for less demanding (in terms of purity) applications.

Key advantages of platinum-cured silicone:

• No curing byproducts — the addition reaction produces virtually no volatile compounds

• Higher purity — suitable for medical and food applications

• Better clarity — sheets and tubes are clearer, providing better visibility

• Superior physical properties — generally better tensile strength and tear strength

Which Should You Choose?

For brands developing baby products or food-contact items, platinum-cured silicone is the premium choice.

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Part 3: The Short Answer: No

Silicones, whatever their formulations or applications, are completely BPA-free.

What Is BPA?

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been used since the 1950s to reinforce certain polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, particularly those used in food and beverage containers. It is not used in silicone manufacturing.

What This Means for Consumers

Many silicone products are food-grade and do not contain petroleum-based chemicals, BPA, BPS, or fillers. This makes silicone a safer alternative to certain plastics that may contain BPA or other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Important note: While silicone itself is BPA-free, always verify that the entire product—including any attached plastic components—is also BPA-free.

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Does Silicone Contain PFAS?

 

The Short Answer: No — Pure Silicone Does Not Contain PFAS

Pure food-grade silicone does not contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS are a class of synthetic chemicals known as "forever chemicals" used for water and oil resistance. Silicone's properties come from its silicon-oxygen backbone, not from fluorinated compounds.

The Distinction

Some silicone-based products may contain PFAS additives for specific performance characteristics, but these are not standard in food-grade or baby-grade silicone. For example, one study used silicone wristbands to detect PFAS exposure in firefighters. However, the silicone itself is not the source of PFAS — it was used as a sampling device.

What to Look For

When sourcing silicone products, look for PFAS-free certifications or statements from manufacturers. Most premium silicone products for baby and food-contact applications are formulated without PFAS.

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Part 5: Can Silicone Absorb Odors?

The Short Answer: Yes — Temporarily

Silicone doesn't "soak up" smells like a sponge, but it can temporarily retain odor molecules on its surface or within its microstructure.

Why This Happens

Silicone is relatively permeable to gases, and molds made from it are notorious for absorbing freezer odors and transferring them to the ice they make. Silicone kitchenware has a tendency to absorb odors, which can get trapped in its molecular structure and make food or ice smell or taste like soap, chemicals, or other unappealing flavors.

How to Remove Odors

Key takeaway: Silicone may temporarily retain strong scents (like garlic or essential oils), but these fade after proper washing or heating.

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Part 6: How Long Do Silicone Products Last?

The Short Answer: Years to Decades

Once vulcanized (cured) into final product form, silicone products have no expiration date. High-quality silicone products can last for years or even decades with proper care.

Lifespan by Application

Factors That Affect Lifespan

• Temperature exposure: The lifespan of a general-purpose silicone is halved for every 10°C above its intended use.

• UV exposure: Prolonged sunlight can degrade silicone over time

• Chemical exposure: Harsh chemicals can accelerate degradation

• Physical stress: Frequent bending, stretching, or compression can reduce lifespan

Storage Recommendations

Silicone compounds should be stored in a dry environment away from direct sunlight and heat, at a temperature of less than 30°C.

Bottom line: High-quality silicone products — especially platinum-cured — offer exceptional durability and can last for many years with proper care.

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Part 7: Is Silicone Better Than Plastic?

The Short Answer: In Many Ways, Yes

Silicone outperforms conventional plastics in applications requiring a wide temperature service range, biocompatibility, long-term UV/ozone resistance, and repeated sterilization.

Key Differences

The Sustainability Question

Silicone's environmental advantage over plastic comes primarily from longevity — a silicone product used for many years may have a lower lifecycle environmental impact than multiple disposable plastic items it replaces.

Key insight: While silicone is not biodegradable and faces recycling challenges, its durability and reusability make it a more sustainable choice than single-use plastics when used over the long term.

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Part 8: Is Food-Grade Silicone Safe?

The Short Answer: Yes

Food-grade silicone is a non-toxic, odorless, and environmentally friendly elastomer material that meets FDA and LFGB safety standards.

Safety Considerations

What to Look For

• 100% food-grade silicone — no fillers or additives

• FDA or LFGB certification — independent testing

• Platinum-cured — higher purity, no byproducts

• BPA-free and phthalate-free — no harmful chemicals

Bottom line: When properly manufactured and certified, food-grade silicone is safe for its intended uses. The key is choosing products from reputable manufacturers who use pure materials and maintain quality control.

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Part 9: FDA vs. LFGB Silicone Standards

The Key Difference

The main difference between LFGB and FDA lies in the different methods of testing. LFGB testing regulations are the toughest of all standards, with silicone material required to pass more intensive testing compared to FDA silicone testing.

Comparison

Which Is Better?

While both FDA and LFGB-approved silicone are considered food-safe, silicone that has passed LFGB testing is higher quality silicone, resulting in greater durability and less foul silicone odor and taste.

From an industry perspective, LFGB-grade silicone products are considered "superior" to FDA-grade ones, as the LFGB standard is more stringent, the testing cost is higher, and the overall price tends to be more expensive.

For brands: LFGB certification is recommended for products targeting the European market or for premium positioning where "stricter than FDA" is a selling point.

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Part 10: Is Silicone Eco-Friendly?

The Balanced View

Silicone has both environmental advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

• Durable and long-lasting — reduces the need for replacements

• Reusable — replaces single-use plastics

• Temperature stable — withstands extreme conditions without degrading

• Non-toxic — does not release harmful substances

• Lower lifecycle impact — when used long-term, can have lower environmental impact than multiple disposable items

Disadvantages:

• Not biodegradable — takes a long time to decompose

• Difficult to recycle — stable molecular structure doesn't allow for easy reprocessing

• Energy-intensive production — requires significant energy to manufacture

• Contains petrochemical compounds — while silica-based, it does contain some fossil-fuel-derived materials

The Sustainability Verdict

Overall, silicone can be a more environmentally friendly choice if it's being used instead of a disposable plastic item. The key is longevity — a silicone product that lasts for years has a lower environmental impact than hundreds of disposable plastic items.

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Part 11: Can Silicone Be Recycled?

The Short Answer: Yes, But It's Challenging

One of the primary reasons silicone isn't widely recyclable lies in its chemical structure. Unlike conventional plastics that can be broken down into simpler forms, silicone retains a stable molecular structure that doesn't allow for easy reprocessing.

New Developments in Silicone Recycling

Recent research has made significant progress:

• Chemical recycling breakthrough (2025): French researchers have devised a way to reclaim silicone building blocks for use in new materials.

• Universal recycling process: The first universal recycling process that brings any type of used silicone material back to an earlier state in its life cycle.

• Recyclable thermoplastic silicone (2025): Shin-Etsu has developed a recyclable thermoplastic silicone with a level of recyclability previously difficult to realize with conventional silicone rubber.

Environmental Impact

A 2026 study published in the Royal Society of Chemistry found that chemical recycling can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of silicone elastomers and represents a viable strategy for enabling a more circular and sustainable silicone materials value chain.

Bottom line: While silicone recycling infrastructure is still developing, new technologies are making it increasingly feasible.

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Part 12: Why More Brands Choose Platinum Silicone

The Growing Preference

More brands are switching to platinum-cured silicone for baby products, food-contact items, and premium consumer goods. Here's why:

1. Superior Purity

Platinum-cured silicone produces no curing byproducts, resulting in a material of exceptional purity. This is why it's the preferred choice for medical and pharmaceutical applications.

2. No Residual Odor

Peroxide-cured silicone can have a chemical or vinegar-like smell. Platinum-cured silicone is virtually odorless — essential for baby products where even a faint smell can cause feeding refusal.

3. Crystal Clarity

Platinum-cured silicone offers excellent transparency, while peroxide-cured silicone is translucent or milky. This clarity is valued in products like bottle nipples and clear teethers.

4. Better Physical Properties

Platinum-cured silicone generally has higher tear strength and tensile strength compared to peroxide-cured materials.

5. No Talc or Liners

Peroxide-cured silicone often requires talc or a liner to prevent sticking. Platinum-cured silicone can be run talc-free, simplifying manufacturing and reducing contamination risk.

6. Superior Longevity

Platinum silicones do not exhibit the same evaporation or breakdown that other silicone types do. They are resistant to UV and extreme temperature, and have virtually no shrinkage.

7. Consumer Trust

As parents and consumers become more educated about material differences, "platinum-cured" is increasingly seen as a mark of quality and safety.

For B2B brands: Specifying platinum-cured silicone signals a commitment to quality that can justify premium pricing and build consumer trust.

The Industry Consensus

Platinum-cured silicone is widely considered the superior choice when considering silicone for more critical applications in medical, pharmaceutical, and baby product applications. As one manufacturer puts it: "Platinum silicone is the highest quality material that has opened up new possibilities ... offering unprecedented strength, flexibility and safety."

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FAQ: Silicone Material Knowledge

Is silicone safe for food contact?

Yes. Food-grade silicone is tested and certified by the FDA to be safe for contact with food.

Does silicone contain BPA?

No. Silicones are completely BPA-free.

Does silicone contain PFAS?

No. Pure food-grade silicone does not contain PFAS.

Is platinum silicone safer than peroxide silicone?

Yes — for baby products and food contact. Platinum-cured silicone has no curing byproducts, no odor, higher purity, and better biocompatibility.

Can silicone absorb odors?

Temporarily, yes. Silicone can retain odor molecules on its surface, but these fade after proper washing or heating.

How long do silicone products last?

Years to decades. Platinum-cured silicone castings can last upwards of 45 years. General-purpose silicone products last 3–10+ years with proper care.

Is silicone better than plastic?

In many ways, yes. Silicone is more durable, heat-resistant, and less likely to shed microplastics than conventional plastics.

Is silicone eco-friendly?

It depends. Silicone's durability and reusability make it more sustainable than single-use plastics over the long term, but it is not biodegradable and is difficult to recycle.

Can silicone be recycled?

Yes, but it's challenging. New chemical recycling processes are making silicone recycling increasingly feasible.

What's the difference between FDA and LFGB silicone?

LFGB is stricter. LFGB testing includes sensory testing (odor, taste) and stricter migration limits compared to FDA.

Why do brands choose platinum silicone?

For higher purity, no odor, better transparency, superior physical properties, and consumer trust.

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Conclusion: Making Informed Silicone Choices

Silicone is a versatile, durable, and safe material when sourced from reputable manufacturers who use food-grade materials and proper curing processes.

Key takeaways:

• Food-grade silicone is safe for food contact when FDA or LFGB certified

• Platinum-cured silicone is superior for baby products and food contact due to higher purity and no curing byproducts

• Silicone is BPA-free and PFAS-free — making it safer than some plastics

• Silicone products last for years — reducing waste compared to disposable alternatives

• LFGB certification is stricter than FDA — a mark of higher quality

• Recycling is improving — new chemical processes are making silicone more circular

For brands developing baby products, kitchenware, travel accessories, or pet supplies, choosing platinum-cured, food-grade silicone with LFGB or FDA certification is the best way to ensure product safety, quality, and consumer trust.

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This guide is based on FDA statements, industry research, and third-party data. Contact KEAN Silicone for custom platinum-cured silicone solutions with full certification documentation.