Is Silicone Safe for food contact ?

We see many colorful kitchen ware in silicon rubber, is it safe for food contact?

Food-grade silicone is considered safe for baking and cooking below the temperature of 428 Fahrenheit. When used at appropriate temperatures and in ways listed by the manufacturer, the physical characteristic is stable, silicone remains inert and is not expected to leach into food.

Nowadays, with the increasing diversity of kitchenware, silicone cookware has quickly gained popularity due to its unique advantages and has become a new favorite in many households' kitchens. However, as its popularity continues to rise, consumers have raised many questions about its safety, especially regarding whether it releases harmful substances at high temperatures. This article will explore the safety of silicone cookware to provide consumers with a scientific and comprehensive understanding.
The advantages of silicone kitchenware
Silicone kitchenware has gained widespread popularity mainly due to its multiple advantages. In terms of safety, silicone kitchenware is made of food-grade silicone and has passed strict food safety tests. It does not contain harmful substances such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, and is non-toxic, odorless and tasteless to the human body. Even in high-temperature environments, it can ensure that food retains its original flavor during cooking without releasing any toxic gases or substances. Moreover, silicone is a recyclable material and does not produce any toxic or harmful substances during use, which is in line with modern environmental protection concepts.
Durability is another highlight of silicone kitchenware. It can usually withstand a temperature range from -40°C to 230°C (some products can reach 250°C), making it suitable for high-temperature cooking environments such as microwave ovens and ovens, and can also be directly placed in the freezer without worrying about deformation or damage. In addition, silicone has excellent tear resistance and wear resistance, and is not prone to deformation, cracking or fading over long-term use, thus extending the service life of the kitchenware.
The softness and elasticity of silicone endow kitchenware with extremely high flexibility. Whether it is for stirring batter, scraping off residues from the edges of bowls and plates, or making baking molds, it can handle all these tasks with ease without scratching the surface of cookware. Moreover, silicone kitchenware can be restored to cleanliness simply by rinsing with water after use, and it can also be washed in a dishwasher, which is convenient and fast. There are a wide variety of silicone kitchenware, including baking molds, silicone spatulas, heat-resistant gloves, silicone ice trays, and silicone kneading mats, which can meet different cooking needs.
Analysis of the Safety of Silicone Kitchenware at High Temperatures
From the perspective of the material properties of silicone kitchenware, its main component is silicon dioxide, which is non-toxic, odorless and has extremely strong stability. Silicone kitchenware produced by regular manufacturers is made of food-grade silicone and can withstand temperatures above 220℃. Even when heated in a microwave oven at high temperatures, it will not release toxic substances. However, although silicone spatulas and other kitchenware are generally non-toxic at temperatures below 230°C, it is still advisable to avoid long-term use in environments exceeding this temperature, such as oil pans. This is because any material has its limits, and prolonged exposure to temperatures above 300°C may pose a risk of decomposition for silicone.
Experiments have shown that when silicone cookware is continuously heated at 250℃ for several hours, no harmful substances are detected to be released. This indicates that under normal cooking temperatures, high-quality silicone cookware is unlikely to cause harm to the human body.