Let's unpack the facts
The safety of the products we use for ourselves and our loved ones is our number one priority.
Silicone is becoming a household name popping up everywhere from silicone food containers, baby bibs, makeup applicators, ear plugs and more.
We stand by the statement that if we wouldn’t use it for ourselves, we won’t put it on our shelves. If you’ve ever wondered if silicone food containers are safe, let’s walk through the facts, stats and tips before you invest.
Understanding silicone
Food grade silicone is made from non toxic silica and oxygen molecules. It’s super versatile because of its flexible but firm texture, and its temperature resilient from a chilly -30°C up to a toasty 210°C. Unlike metal which transfers heat almost instantly, silicone has a stable chemical structure which means that despite being able to withstand hot temperatures, it doesn’t transfer heat quickly. You can see why it’s becoming a favourite alternative to plastic for food storage.
Is silicone safer than plastic?
Some single use plastic containers have been shown to contain chemicals like BPA and phthalates linked to health risks. Studies show ‘micro plastic’ chemicals can be absorbed into the food and drinks from plastic containers and from there, we ingest them - not ideal.
Our premium food grade silicone is independently tested and free from nasties like Lead, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury and Selenium. You can never be too safe when it comes to the health of you or your loved ones.
Why we adore silicone
For us, the fact that it’s safe, versatile and helps save time; it was a no-brainer to use it to create our silicone food containers and silicone kitchenware. It’s resilient to the trials of daily life, but gentle on the environment.
Choosing the right silicone
Not sure which silicone to pick? Opt for food-grade silicone – it's undergone exhaustive safety tests and gets a thumbs-up. Look for the FDA (Food & Drug Administration ) approval or LGFB (Foods, Consumer Goods and Feedstuffs Code) certification.
Caring for your silicone
Silicone is smashproof and durable, but there are some recommendations to follow to love your silicone longer. Steer clear of abrasive cleaners, flames, sharp objects and follow the temperature guides.
Environmental impact of silicone vs. plastic
It's not just about the personal safety of silicone; choosing silicone has broader environmental implications. Plastic pollution affects our oceans and marine life, and there’s evidence of it entering the human food chain. Silicone is much more durable and longer-lasting than plastic so there’s less chance of it breaking down into micro-sized particles that could end up polluting our environment.
Silicone production is generally considered to have a smaller carbon footprint than the manufacture of plastics because it requires less energy and releases fewer greenhouse gasses. And silicone, unlike plastic, doesn’t release toxic chemicals when burned, reducing the risk to our environment even more.
The power of reusability
One significant advantage of silicone over plastics is its reusability. While certain plastics wear out and can leach harmful chemicals after several uses, silicone maintains its integrity. This means fewer replacements, fewer resources used over time, and a reduction in landfill waste.
A eco friendly step forward
While we need to make informed decisions about the products we use, it’s important to think of the future too. By choosing silicone over plastics, not only are we ensuring a safer, chemical-free environment for our loved ones, but we're also taking a step towards an eco-friendly future.
Summary
Silicone food containers, with their blend of safety and flexibility, are proving to be a worthy eco-friendly option to plastic. They're durable, versatile, heat transfer resistant, easy-to-clean and convenient. Which translates to savings, time to focus on cherished moments.
Proven to contain less chemicals than plastic and less wasteful than single use plastics, swapping to silicone could be your smartest choice yet.
Want to embrace a brighter, better, eco conscious tomorrow for us and our planet?
Explore Mapley’s range of silicone food containers and silicone homewares.
We offer personalisation with our custom name and design option.
Pro tip: Opt for distinct colours and designs for each family member to avoid any meal time tug of wars
