Platinum-Cured vs Food-Grade Silicone Explained

When browsing tableware labels for your baby, you will frequently see terms like "Food-Grade Silicone" and "Platinum-Cured Silicone." Understanding the difference between platinum-cured silicone and food-grade silicone helps you choose the cleanest, longest-lasting items for your baby's daily feeding routines.

Understanding Silicone Grades and the Curing Process

Silicone starts as a flexible liquid polymer that must go through a chemical process called curing to form a durable, solid shape. The catalyst used during this transformation determines the quality and purity of the silicone grades:

• Standard Food-Grade Silicone (Peroxide Curing): Uses peroxide agents to bond the silicone. While FDA-compliant and safe for basic kitchen tools, peroxide curing can leave behind trace volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These items often turn white along stress lines when stretched or twisted during an at-home pinch test.

• Platinum-Cured Silicone: Uses a precious metal (platinum) catalyst to bond the material. This method leaves zero chemical byproducts or off-gassing, producing a pure material that holds its solid color even when stretched tightly.

Why Platinum Cured Silicone Baby Gear Is Superior

Investing in platinum-cured silicone baby products offers clear, long-term benefits:

• Odour & Flavour Protection: It is non-porous and completely odour-free, resisting dishsoap tastes and food stains far better than standard food-grade options.

• High-Heat Durability: Maintains its flexibility, colour, and structural strength even after continuous high-temperature dishwashing and steam sterilisation cycles.

• Pure Material Safety: Eliminates filler materials and peroxide residues so your baby's meals stay completely untainted.

How to Test Silicone Purity at Home

1. Perform the Pinch Test: Twist and pinch a flat surface of the silicone plate or bib. If white marks appear along the bend, low-cost fillers or peroxide agents were added.

2. Check for Odor: Fresh platinum silicone should have no chemical or artificial smell out of the packaging.

References & Material Reports

• Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) – Recommendation XV on Silicones

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Title 21 CFR rubber and silicone standards

• European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) – Safety report on food contact materials

• ISO Standards Organisation – Polymer and elastomer material specifications

• TÜV Rheinland – Material safety testing and certification rules

• SGS Global – Volatile organic compounds extraction testing