FDA (Food and Drug Administration):
The US governmental body regulating food and drug safety. FDA-grade silicone means the silicone product has passed the FDA's testing standards.
LFGB (Lebensmittel- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch):
The German Food and Commodities Act. It's a set of food safety regulations adopted by much of Europe. LFGB-grade silicone implies it has passed more rigorous testing standards than the FDA requires.
Bumkins uses a combination of FDA and LFGB-grade silicone products. Find out which grade of silicone is used on the individual product page.
Is there a difference in materials between FDA and LFGB-grade silicone?
There's a common misconception that there are different raw materials used in FDA-grade vs. LFGB-grade silicone. Here's why that's not accurate:
Same Base Material:
Both FDA-grade and LFGB-grade silicone start with the same fundamental raw material:
silica (derived from sand). This is combined with other elements to create siloxane, the base polymer used in silicone manufacturing.
No Ingredient Difference: The raw ingredients for FDA and LFGB silicone
don't differ. The variations arise from factors like
1)Curing Processes: The methods and temperatures used to solidify, or cure, the silicone , and
2) Additives: The types and amounts of fillers, pigments, or other components added to the base silicone.
Focus on Testing: The primary difference between FDA and LFGB standards lies in the rigor of the testing they require. LFGB has more stringent tests for the migration of chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the silicone into food.
In Summary:
While there's no inherent difference in the raw materials themselves, LFGB-grade silicone tends to represent a higher quality product due to the following implications of its stricter standards:
Purer Silicone: LFGB-grade silicone likely uses fewer additives or fillers.
Less Odor/Taste: It's less likely to leach chemicals, resulting in less potential to impact the flavor or smell of food.
Higher Durability: The stricter LFGB standards may lead to a more durable product over time.
What is different about the testing methods used for FDA and LFGB-grade silicone?
The primary difference between FDA and LFGB standards lies in the rigor of the testing they require, not necessarily the specific types of tests performed. Both standards involve testing for various potential hazards.
Core Testing Similarities - Both FDA and LFGB standards require testing for:
Overall migration: This assesses the total amount of substances that may migrate from the silicone into food simulants under specific conditions.
Both standards test for the migration of specific substances that could potentially pose health risks, such as heavy metals and certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Additional Testing in LFGB:
LFGB has a more extensive list of substances that must be tested for compared to the FDA. This includes additional VOCs, nitrosamines, and other potential migrants.
LFGB often enforces stricter limits on the allowable amount of certain substances that can migrate from the silicone into food. This means even if a substance is tested for in both standards, the acceptable level might be lower for LFGB, ensuring a higher level of safety.
LFGB incorporates sensory testing to evaluate potential odor and taste transfer from the silicone to food, which is not typically included in standard FDA testing.
While there's no inherent difference in the raw materials themselves, LFGB-grade silicone tends to represent a higher quality product due to the following implications of its stricter standards:
Purer Silicone: LFGB-grade silicone likely uses fewer additives or fillers.
Less Odor/Taste: It's less likely to leach chemicals, resulting in less potential to impact the flavor or smell of food.
Higher Durability: The stricter LFGB standards may lead to a more durable product over time.
Regardless of the different testing methods, we regularly test our products to ensure that we stay on top of compliance across all the territories we serve.
What is the curing process for silicone dishes?
Curing: The methods and temperatures used to solidify, or cure, the silicone.
Regardless of the curing method, the process involves mixing the silicone base with the catalyst and pouring it into molds of the desired dish shape. Heating (depending on the method) activates the curing process, causing the silicone to solidify and set into the final shape. Post-curing might be employed in some cases, especially for peroxide-cured silicone, to further drive off any remaining byproducts and enhance the material's properties.
Contrary to a common misconception, the curing process itself isn't inherently different between LFGB-grade and FDA-grade silicone. Both standards don't dictate a specific curing method. However, the stringency of testing procedures within each standard can indirectly influence the choice of curing methods used by manufacturers.
Peroxide-Cured Silicone:
This method utilizes peroxide-based chemicals as catalysts to initiate a free radical curing process.
It's a common and cost-effective approach.
However, the curing process generates byproducts, like dichlorobenzene and traces of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which need to be minimized to meet safety standards.
This method requires higher curing temperatures, typically around 150°C to 200°C (300°F to 400°F).
Platinum-Cured Silicone:
This method uses platinum as a catalyst for additional curing.
It's considered a cleaner process, producing no harmful byproducts.
Additionally, platinum-cured silicone generally offers better temperature resistance, tear strength, and color clarity.
The curing process typically occurs at lower temperatures, ranging from room temperature to 100°C (212°F).
Platinum-cured silicone is generally considered preferred due to its cleaner process and potentially superior properties.
LFGB vs. FDA and Curing:
LFGB Standards: They are more stringent, particularly when it comes to the migration of potential harmful chemicals from the silicone into food. This includes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that could potentially be generated during the curing process.
Indirect influence on curing: To meet the stricter LFGB requirements, manufacturers of LFGB-grade silicone are more likely to favor platinum-cured silicone due to its cleaner process and lower potential for byproduct formation. However, peroxide-cured silicone can still be used for LFGB-grade products if it meets the rigorous testing standards for minimal and safe levels of potential byproducts.
FDA Standards: They are less stringent and both curing methods (peroxide and platinum) are generally acceptable as long as they meet the overall safety requirements for food contact applications.
Bumkins uses the platinum curing method to treat our silicone products. We ensure our products use the cleaner method of curing so our products are safe for your family to use over and over again.
How can you tell if your silicone has fillers?
There are two main approaches to determine the presence of potential fillers in silicone, but neither is a foolproof method and both have limitations:
1. The Pinch Test:
This common method involves pinching, twisting, or pulling the silicone. If it turns white when you manipulate it, it's often interpreted as a sign of fillers.
Limitations:
Not entirely accurate: This test primarily indicates a change in light refraction, not necessarily the presence of fillers. Pure silicone can also exhibit a slight whitening under pressure due to its internal structure.
Doesn't distinguish filler type: Even if the test suggests fillers, it doesn't reveal the specific type or its potential safety implications.
2. Relying on manufacturer information:
Checking product specifications: Look for information on the material composition or claims of "100% silicone" on the product packaging or manufacturer's website.
Contacting the manufacturer: Directly inquire about the presence and type of fillers used in their silicone products.
Important points to remember:
Fillers aren't inherently bad: Some fillers can be used safely to modify the properties of silicone, such as enhancing strength or reducing production costs. However, the quality and safety of the fillers are crucial.
Focus on certifications: Look for products with certifications from reputable organizations like the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) or LFGB (German Food and Commodities Act). These certifications indicate the silicone meets specific food safety standards, regardless of the presence of fillers.
Consult experts: If you have concerns about the safety of specific silicone products, consult a healthcare professional or a materials scientist for expert advice.
Ultimately, relying on a combination of these approaches while prioritizing reputable manufacturers and certifications can help you make informed decisions about the silicone products you choose.
So LFGB-grade silicone is inherently better than FDA-grade silicone. Why does Bumkins not use LFGB-grade silicone in every product?
There are two main reasons why we choose to use LFGB-grade silicone in a select number of products:
Higher cost: LFGB-grade silicone has a higher cost than FDA-grade silicone. To keep the price of our products affordable for consumers, we decided to use FDA-grade silicone in most items that do not require higher durability.
FDA and LFGB-grade silicone are both safe: Even though FDA-grade silicone is less expensive, both grades are safe for human use. We choose to use LFGB in items such as Chewtensils® and Silicone Cups that go in the mouth and require a higher durability to prevent tearing and damage to your products.
To find out which silicone grade your product uses, check the individual product page for more information.
Regardless of silicone grade, we rigorously test our products to ensure we meet regulations outlined in the CPSIA and FDA in the United States and those outlined in countries abroad.