Is Silicone Safe for Food Storage? Silicone vs. Plastic Containers

Yes, silicone is safe for food storage. Make sure to choose silicone food storage products that are LFGB-certified and contain no harmful chemicals, glues or adhesives.

If you’re on the hunt for the very best food storage containers, you’re going to want to learn a bit about the materials from which they’re made. The reality is that not all containers are created equal, and some quite literally become trash after a single use. Lesser-quality materials degrade, stain, warp and, worst of all, contain harmful chemicals that could interact with your food. 

When shopping for options, you’ll often see two choices — silicone and plastic. Of the two, which is superior? We’ll go over each material’s pros and cons below to help you decide which to choose.

Silicone Food Storage Containers: The Basics

When you think of silicone, your mind probably automatically goes to electronics, manufacturing molds or cosmetic surgery supplies (yes, this is the same stuff used in breast implants). Indeed, silicone is an extraordinarily versatile material that can be used to produce a wide variety of goods. That’s because it’s durable, flexible, heat- and cold-resistant, chemically stable and easy to clean.

Is Silicone Safe for Food Storage?

So, with all of this in mind, is silicone safe for food storage? The simple answer is yes. As long as it’s labeled “food-grade,” it’s a safe place to store food and beverages. That’s why it’s so often used in things like ice trays, reusable silicone bags and food containers. Of course, not all silicone is ideal for food, so you need to know what to look for when shopping for silicone goods. 

We always recommend choosing reusable silicone bags and containers that are FDA or LFGB certified. Both certifications ensure that the material has passed strict testing standards and is safe and hygienic in food storage applications.

You should also choose options that are made without any chemicals, glues or adhesives that could break down and leach into your food. All of our Porter Collection food storage containers meet and exceed these standards!

The Benefits of Silicone for Food Storage

Not only is silicone largely food-safe and a good choice for your family, but it also brings a few other key benefits you should know.

• Silicone is more eco-friendly than single-use plastic because it doesn’t break down into tiny pieces like plastic, making it better for our oceans and waterways. Plus, it’s more reusable than flimsy or single-use plastic, which can help us keep more slow-to-degrade materials from the landfill. As an added bonus, we also take products that have reached the end of their useful lives and recycle them for customers. For more information on this process, please reach out to our customer experience team.
• Silicone is highly temperature resistant, meaning it won’t degrade or warp when exposed to cold and heat. That’s why silicone food storage containers can be tossed in the dishwasher, freezer and microwave.
• Silicone is durable and easy to clean so it’s less likely to build up nasty food stains or break down from too much scrubbing. The smooth, sturdy surface also helps make silicone hygienic because it’s easier to keep clean.
• Our silicone products contain no chemicals, glues or adhesives so they won’t degrade in the dishwasher or leach harmful chemicals into your food.

What About Single-Use Plastic Food Storage Containers?

By now, you likely already know that certain kinds of plastic food storage containers are not great for the environment. Because single-use plastic is slow to degrade and releases harmful microplastics into the environment, it is not considered eco-friendly. Unfortunately, about 50 percent of plastic is only used once and about 15 million tons wind up in the ocean every year. 

So now that we know single-use plastic isn’t safe for our environment, this begs the question: is it safe for our food? Despite the fact that there are many “food-grade” plastics out there, studies have shown that the chemicals in single-use plastic — including BPA, which has been linked to reduced fertility and obesity — can leach into the food and beverages we consume, especially if exposed to heat.

However, you’re much more likely to find these chemicals in flimsy single-use containers. W&P uses durable BPA-free plastic wrapped in protective LFGB-certified silicone to make high-quality containers which are not single-use. This means that it won’t degrade and expose your food to harmful chemicals. It also means it can be safely, infinitely reused, helping keep single-use plastics out of the landfill and ocean.

Paying Attention to What’s in Your Containers

When it comes to the health of your family and the planet, what’s in your food storage containers matters. And we don’t just mean the leftover Bolognese from last night. If you want to ensure that you’re making the best choice when shopping for containers and reusable bags, make sure to stick to BPA-free reusable plastic as well as durable silicone.