In light of the growing emphasis on food safety and shifting dietary practices brought about by the pandemic, there has been an increase in the availability of environmentally friendly silicone tableware and packaging bags as alternatives to disposable plastic products.
While we have previously emphasized the non-toxic and secure nature of silicone, it is crucial to recognize that specific types of silicone are utilized for distinct product applications, each with corresponding certification processes in place. Today, let us explore the differentiation between food-grade silicone and regular silicone, as well as methods for determining the quality of silicone as food grade.
Can food-grade silicone be consumed? Absolutely not. It is essential to reemphasize that silicone is generally considered a safe and non-toxic material. Nevertheless, it can be classified into food grade and industrial grade. Food-grade silicone typically pertains to products that come into contact with food, such as baby pacifiers, straws, food containers, and tableware. Conversely, industrial grade silicone is intended for non-food-related uses.
Food-grade silicone is typically produced using imported raw materials, with quality assurance measures in place from the outset. It is crucial to possess the appropriate quality inspection documentation when procuring raw materials. This is not to imply that regular silicone lacks quality, but rather to highlight the distinct application variations between the two.
Typically, regular silicone rubber products are created by blending conventional silicone rubber, while food-grade products, which necessitate higher quality standards, utilize food-grade fumed rubber. Fumed silica, a critical component of silica gel,silicone product manufacturers boasts a higher purity density than ordinary silica, resulting in disparities in the final product, particularly in terms of tensile strength.
Food-grade silicone enhances tensile properties, leading to the absence of whitening during stretching. Consequently, the presence of whitening can serve as an indicator of whether a silicone product is classified as food grade or not.
Food-grade silicone is an inorganic polymer colloid material formed through the polycondensation of silicic acid. It is non-toxic, odorless, and chemically stable. With the exception of caustic alkali and hydrofluoric acid, it does not react with acids and alkalis under normal conditions. Capable of withstanding high temperatures up to 220C, it can be safely utilized in microwave ovens without posing any adverse effects on health. Compared to alternative materials, food-grade silicone offers safer and healthier characteristics, aligning with the requirements for a secure and wholesome lifestyle.
Food-grade silicone products are crafted using food-grade silicone rubber raw materials, meeting environmental testing standards established by organizations such as NSF, FDA, RoSH, RECH, according to market demands.
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