With the increasing focus on food safety and changing dietary habits due to the pandemic, there has been a rise in the availability of eco-friendly silicone tableware and packaging bags as alternatives to single-use plastic products.
While we have previously highlighted the safety and reliability of silicone, it is important to understand that different types of silicone are used for specific applications, each with their own certification processes. Today, we will explore the distinction between food-grade silicone and regular silicone, as well as ways to determine the quality of food-grade silicone.
Is it safe to consume food-grade silicone? Absolutely. It is important to emphasize that silicone is generally considered a safe and non-toxic material. However, it is categorized into food grade and industrial grade. Food-grade silicone is used for products that come into contact with food, such as baby pacifiers, straws, food containers, and tableware. On the other hand, industrial grade silicone is not intended for food-related purposes.
Food-grade silicone is typically made from imported raw materials with quality control measures in place from the beginning. It is crucial to have the proper quality inspection documentation when sourcing raw materials. This does not mean that regular silicone is of lower quality,silicone product manufacturers but rather serves to highlight the different applications of the two types.
Regular silicone rubber products are usually made by blending conventional silicone rubber, while food-grade products require higher quality standards and use food-grade fumed rubber. Fumed silica, a key component of silica gel, has a higher purity density than ordinary silica, resulting in differences in the final product, especially in terms of tensile strength.
Food-grade silicone improves tensile properties, preventing whitening during stretching. The presence of whitening can indicate whether a silicone product is 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. It can withstand high temperatures up to 220°C, making it safe for use in microwaves without any negative health effects. Compared to other materials, food-grade silicone offers safer and healthier characteristics, meeting the requirements for a secure and wholesome lifestyle.
Food-grade silicone products are made using food-grade silicone rubber raw materials that meet environmental testing standards set by organizations such as NSF, FDA, RoSH, RECH, based on market demands.
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