Posted by Franceska Dion
on October 22, 2022
In recent years, silicone has become a staple in the baby product market as a perfect alternative to plastic. Silicone offers several advantages, including durability, ease of cleaning, and safety—it's virtually unbreakable! But are all silicones safe and secure? Why are similar tableware items sold at different prices?
The fact is that not all silicones are created the same way. In terms of curing methods, silicone is either peroxide-cured or platinum-cured. Peroxide curing is more cost-effective but produces byproducts, usually volatile organic acids. This is because it requires fillers in the curing process. It can contain contaminants similar to those found in plastics. In contrast, platinum curing is more expensive and produces no byproducts. The resulting silicone is purer and cleaner. Due to its excellent purity, it is preferred by many food, beverage, and medical industries. This also makes it the ideal material for sensitive environments, as it will not contaminate the food or liquids it comes into contact with.
In addition to its purity, platinum-cured silicone also offers superior physical properties compared to standard silicone:
Non-yellowing - Higher tear resistance - Improved flexibility - Excellent non-stick effect - Resistance to high temperatures and aging. It is also important to note that one should not rely solely on FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) testing, as most FDA-approved products are treated with peroxide and may contain unpleasant fillers and byproducts. Therefore, one should also look for the LFGB certification symbol. This is a German food regulatory body that applies the strictest certification process in the world. When choosing silicone products, we must ensure that we select the highest-performing and purest silicone products, with the highest level of safety testing and certification. In this way, we can offer babies the safest and healthiest start possible.
