Is silicone safe to eat and drink out of? A Guide to Food-Grade Silicone

October 25, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that in 1979, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that silicon dioxides, the raw material for silicone products, were safe for food-grade applications? This is a crucial starting point for understanding whether it is safe to eat and drink out of silicone products in your own home.

Quick Summary

Food-grade silicone is generally safe for consumption, but quality is key. The potential for low-level chemical leaching exists, particularly with low-quality products and high temperatures, making proper identification and use important.

Key Points

Food-Grade Certification is Critical: Always choose silicone products certified by authorities like the FDA or LFGB to ensure they are safe for food contact and free from harmful fillers.
Perform the Pinch Test: Squeeze or twist the silicone; if it turns white, it contains fillers and should not be used for cooking or eating from.
Be Mindful of High Heat and Fats: Some studies suggest that low-level leaching of siloxanes can occur at high temperatures, especially with oily foods. For peace of mind, consider alternatives like glass for long, high-heat cooking.
A Safer Alternative to Plastic: Food-grade silicone does not contain endocrine disruptors like BPA and does not break down into harmful microplastics, making it a better choice than most plastic kitchenware.
Replace Worn-out Products: If silicone items become damaged, cracked, or degraded, they should be replaced to prevent any potential particle migration.
Choose Reputable Brands: Purchasing from well-known and trusted brands that stand by their product safety and certifications is the best way to ensure you're getting high-quality silicone.

The Science Behind Food-Grade Silicone

Silicone is a synthetic polymer composed mainly of silicon, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. This unique molecular structure gives it a rubber-like flexibility and a high resistance to extreme temperatures, which has made it a popular material for bakeware, kitchen utensils, and food storage. For silicone to be considered safe for food and drink, it must be designated as "food-grade." This means it has been rigorously tested and certified by regulatory bodies, such as the FDA in the United States and the LFGB in Germany, to ensure it does not leach harmful chemicals or contaminate food. High-quality food-grade silicone is specifically manufactured to be chemically inert, meaning it is non-reactive with food and beverages.

Is All Silicone Created Equal?

No, not all silicone is food-grade. Lower-quality products may contain fillers or additives to reduce costs, and these are not guaranteed to be safe for food contact. Fillers are often revealed through a simple visual check. If you pinch and twist the silicone, and white coloration shows through, it likely contains fillers. High-quality, pure silicone will retain its color. It's therefore essential for consumers to purchase silicone products from reputable brands that explicitly state their products are FDA or LFGB certified.

Potential Concerns: The Leaching Question

While certified food-grade silicone is considered safe, some studies have raised concerns about the potential for low-level leaching under certain conditions. Most of these studies focus on the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including siloxanes, at high temperatures, especially when the silicone is in prolonged contact with fatty or oily foods. However, these studies are often conducted under extreme, unrealistic laboratory conditions that may not reflect normal household use. Health Canada, for example, states there are no known health hazards associated with the use of silicone cookware, noting that silicone does not react with food or produce hazardous fumes.

Limiting Potential Leaching

To minimize any potential migration of chemicals, manufacturers typically perform a post-curing heat treatment during production to remove residual volatile compounds. Additionally, some research suggests that the amount of volatile compounds released diminishes with repeated use and washing. For cautious consumers, following best practices can help mitigate these low-level risks:

Read the Manufacturer's Instructions: Pay close attention to temperature limits and usage recommendations.
Avoid Overheating: While food-grade silicone can withstand high temperatures, avoiding excessively high-heat cooking with silicone bakeware, especially with oily foods, may reduce leaching.
Wash Thoroughly: Wash new silicone products before their first use and clean them well after each subsequent use to remove any residual substances.

Silicone vs. Plastic: A Comparison

For a long time, plastic was the primary material for lightweight, shatterproof food storage. However, silicone offers significant advantages, especially concerning health and environmental impact.


Feature	Food-Grade Silicone	Traditional Plastic
Chemicals	BPA-free, non-toxic, and free from phthalates.	Can contain BPA, BPS, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Heat Resistance	Withstands temperatures from freezing to high heat (e.g., -40°F to 450°F) without melting or degrading.	Varies, but many plastics melt or release chemicals when heated.
Durability	Highly durable, flexible, and resistant to wear and tear over time.	Prone to scratching, warping, and cracking, leading to a shorter lifespan.
Non-stick	Naturally non-stick properties, reducing the need for excess oils.	Non-stick coatings can contain PFAS chemicals, linked to health concerns.
Microplastics	Does not shed microplastics like traditional plastics.	Breaks down into microplastics that contaminate the environment and food chain.
Hygiene	Non-porous and resistant to stains and odors, preventing bacteria buildup.	Scratches can harbor bacteria and absorb odors over time.
Eco-friendliness	Reusable and long-lasting, reducing waste compared to single-use plastics. Requires specialized recycling.	Non-biodegradable and a major contributor to pollution.

Safe Usage Practices for Your Silicone Kitchenware

To ensure you are using silicone as safely and effectively as possible, follow these practical tips:

Choose Certified Products: Always opt for products that are explicitly labeled as FDA or LFGB compliant to ensure the highest quality and safety standards.
Test for Fillers: Perform the pinch test on new silicone items. If it turns white, it's best to avoid using it for food contact.
Respect Temperature Limits: Never exceed the manufacturer's recommended temperature limits, particularly for bakeware and utensils used at high heat.
Use for Appropriate Tasks: Items like oven mitts, spatulas, and ice trays, which have minimal food contact time, are considered very safe. If concerned about high-heat leaching with fatty foods, you might choose alternative materials for bakeware, such as glass or ceramic.
Replace Damaged Items: If your silicone product is scratched, warped, or begins to degrade, replace it immediately to avoid potential chemical or particle migration into your food.
Consider Sustainable Alternatives: While silicone is better than plastic, materials like glass and stainless steel remain excellent and inert options for food storage and cooking.

Conclusion: The Verdict on Silicone Safety

When sourced from reputable manufacturers and used correctly, high-quality, food-grade silicone is a safe and beneficial addition to your kitchen. Its chemical inertness, high durability, and temperature resistance make it a superior alternative to many plastics, especially given the risks associated with BPA and microplastics. While concerns about potential leaching at high temperatures exist, they are generally minimal with certified products and proper use. By being a discerning consumer and following simple safety precautions, you can confidently enjoy the convenience and health benefits that modern silicone kitchenware offers. For more in-depth information, you can explore regulatory guidelines and testing protocols from reliable sources, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can perform the 'pinch test': pinch and twist a flat area of the silicone. If the color remains consistent and no white shows through, it is likely pure, high-quality silicone. Additionally, look for official FDA or LFGB certification markings on the packaging.

While food-grade silicone is heat-resistant, some limited studies suggest minimal leaching can occur with prolonged, high-temperature exposure, especially when in contact with fatty foods. For long baking sessions, especially with oils, using glass or ceramic is a low-risk alternative.

While often confused with plastic due to its polymer structure, silicone is a hybrid material made from silicon and oxygen. It is more durable, does not contain harmful plasticizers like BPA, and doesn't shed microplastics.

Yes, it is generally considered a more eco-friendly option. Its superior durability and reusability reduce waste compared to disposable plastics. Unlike plastic, it does not break down into microplastics.

High-quality, non-porous food-grade silicone is naturally resistant to odors and stains. If a product develops a persistent smell or discoloration, it may be of lower quality or contain fillers.

Yes, food-grade silicone is microwave-safe. It is designed to withstand the high temperatures generated by microwaves without melting, degrading, or leaching harmful substances into your food.

Excellent and safe alternatives include glass, ceramic, and stainless steel. These materials are inert, highly durable, and do not present the same concerns as low-quality plastics or fillers in some silicone products.