What is Food Grade Silicone? How Does It Relate to FDA Compliance?

Safe, hygienic, and stable silicone is the key to food contact. In food-related industries, silicone is involved in every link from packaging, transportation, baking, and storage to cooking. Compared with ordinary plastic materials, food grade silicone has high thermal stability, long-term use, and reusability, and naturally becomes the first material for manufacturers to manufacture high-quality products.

What is Food Grade Silicone?

Similar to the main chain structure of glass, food grade silicone is an inert polymer composed of siloxane bonds as the main structure and organic chemical groups. This system is usually associated with and uses a platinum catalyst to cure, forming an elastomer with excellent heat resistance, flexibility, and long-term durability. It is "inert" itself, a non-toxic compound, and does not undergo cross-linking reactions or interfere with the taste of food when it comes into direct contact with food. This special multifunctional silicone material complies with national and local regulations for food-grade contact testing and is suitable for applications related to food and beverage contact including baking molds, utensils, transport packaging, and teats.

Chemical Structure of Food Grade Silicone

Silicon is derived from silica mines in sandstone. Silicon is catalyzed by copper at a high temperature of 300°C and then undergoes important processes such as distillation, hydrolysis, and condensation to finally synthesize organopolysiloxane. Linear siloxanes containing various reactive groups can be improved by adding fumed silica or other additives, such as mechanical properties, temperature resistance, and aging resistance. The cross-linking is mainly caused by the mixing of polydimethylsiloxane and a platinum catalyst to initiate the polyaddition reaction. This type of silicone not only has the characteristics of traditional plastics, but also has low volatile compounds, which is a key concern in the field of food contact, and has a tendency to replace plastics.

What are the types of Food Grade Silicone?

Molecular structure, temperature, and molding process are the decisive factors for the classification of silicones. They come in three main forms:

High Consistency Rubber (HCR)

Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR)

Two-component room-temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber (RTV-2)

Catalytic System for Food Grade Silicone - Platinum

Silicone is often associated with the metal platinum. Correct use of platinum cross-linked cured silicone can be directly in contact with food. This kind of high-efficiency catalyst is easy to operate and flexible and is suitable for different molding processes, such as molding, injection, extrusion, and casting. It is also an important additive for food-grade silicones that require yellowing resistance and high transparency.

Unique Advantages of Food Grade Silicone

❐ Ultra-wide operating temperature range (-60 to 250 degrees Celsius)
❐ Support local food-level regulations and supervision in various countries
❐ Zero volatile by-products, reduce white pollution, contribute to a safer and more sustainable ecological environment
❐ Dry surface, soft touch, easy release
❐ Repeated use can replace disposable plastic materials, reducing the burden on the earth
❐ Excellent overall mechanical properties (tensile, tear strength) support more complex designs
❐ Variety of formulations to meet innovative applications
❐ Neutral taste ensures food safety and original taste
❐ Customized high-purity formula to support high-transparency finished products

How does Food Grade Silicone relate to FDA compliance?

Different countries have different regulations and standards for food-grade testing. World-recognized food-grade laws and standards are regulations established by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food grade silicone means complying with FDA 21 CFR177.2600 and obtaining a test report issued by a third-party agency.

Multinational Food safety testing standards:

Germany: LFGB (LMBG)

European Union: 1935/2004/EC

France: DGCCRF2004-64

China: GB4806.11-2016

Italy: GU283

South Korea: KFDA

United Kingdom: SI898:2005

Switzerland: SR817.023.21

Japan: JFSL370

Is FDA silicone BPA-free?

Silicone is Platinum gas phase gel with no formaldehyde, plasticizer, and bisphenol A.

What is the heat resistance temperature of FDA Silicone?

The temperature of phenyl-containing silicone can reach 350C° after adding high-temperature resistant additives.

Will FDA Silicone produce toxic and harmful substances after repeated use for a long time?

Silicone uses a non-toxic high-purity platinum catalyst and has passed the FDA standard test, and is generally non-toxic. However, it is still necessary to pay attention to the residues, VOC (volatile organic compounds) and other components during use.

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