No need to ditch your favorite spatula — but make indisputable to come after these tips from an ecotoxicologist .
exposure : Arina Habich
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The concerns around bleak plasticin the news show of late may have you examine your favoritecooking toolsandfood store containersa little more nearly . Silicone has become a popular option for everything fromoven mittsto spatulas to baking mats due to its durability , nonstick capableness , and mellow high temperature tolerance — but just how safe is it ? And what should you keep in head when purchasing , fake with , and scavenge silicone cooking tools ?
To get hold out everything you need to know about cooking and baking with silicone , we spoke with Dr. Lisa Erdle , a biologist and ecotoxicologist who serves as music director of science and innovation at the5 Gyres Institute .
Dr. Lisa Erdle , director of science and innovation at the 5 Gyres Institute .
How Safe Are Silicone Utensils?
If you ’ve set out a darling silicone spatula sitting in your utensil carbon black , revere not — Erdle says silicone utensil are by and large dependable to use forcookingandbakingif they are high - quality and truly solid food - grade . “ silicone polymer is a man-made polymer made from silicon ( derive from gumption ) , O , carbon , and hydrogen , ” Erdle says . “ It is more unchanging and heating - repellent than many plastic , and high - character intellectual nourishment - grade silicone does not look to strip harmful chemicals under normal cooking conditions . However , low - quality production may arrest additives , such as plasticizers or colorants , that are not inert and could percolate when heated . ”
That aver , Erdle says recent studies have shown that silicone polymer can free nano - sized particles under certain circumstance , such as repeated simmering or steam sterilization , in product such as reconciler or bottle tit . “ While this does n’t think that all silicone utensil are insecure , it ’s an region that need more research , peculiarly regarding chronic photo and health gist , ” she state .
How Does Silicone Compare to Plastic?
While silicone plowshare some gadget characteristic with plastic , it is typically considered a safe choiceto employment in the kitchen . Erdle says silicone polymer is generally more heat - stable and chemically soggy than credit card , which means it ’s less probable to strip chemical often feel as additives in plastic , such as phthalates .
“ Silicone is longer - lasting andmore recyclable than charge plate , give it a upright choice , especially if it replaces single - use items or plastic items that fragment microplastics and leach chemicals , ” — Dr. Lisa Erdle
“ Silicone does not shed microplastics in the same style conventional plastic like polyethylene or polypropylene do , which break apart into micro- and nanoplastics through wear and ultraviolet radiation exposure , " she suppose . " Microplastics are bear on because they persist in the environment and are backbreaking to remove , can contain harmful chemical , and have been shown to cause negative health effects such as ignition , oxidative stress , and tissue equipment casualty . ”
What to Look for in Silicone Utensils
Not all silicone product are created equally , Erdle says . She recommends looking for silicone products that are “ 100 % food - tier ” or “ LFGB - certified , ” which is the German food safety standard and is generally strict than FDA standards . “ Pure , food - tier silicone , in its unpigmented conformation , is typically translucent or slightly cloudy white-hot — recollect milklike or frosted glass , ” Erdle says . “ It may have a weak bluish or gray tone depending on thickness , but it ’s generally not brilliant blank and not colored unless pigments or dye have been added . ”
On the other hand , smart colors , such as red , purple , or green , designate added pigments , which Erdle says are not inherently unsafe but may not be well - regulated in low - timbre products . “ Opaque or chalky texture is another sign of fillers or humiliated - quality silicone , ” she says .
In addition to label such as “ 100 % intellectual nourishment - grade ” or “ LFGB - license , ” keep an optic out for products made with Pt - cured silicone polymer . Erdle says these produce fewer residual chemicals than peroxide - cured versions . She also recommend avoid very cheap or unsung brands , especially if the silicone discolors easily , experience greasy , or emits a strong odor .
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How to Cook with Silicone Utensils
While silicone utensils are generally dependable to prepare with , it ’s significant to keep abreast a few guidelines while doing so . silicone polymer can degrade over meter , especially at high temperature , so it ’s essential to stay below the maximum rut boundary . This is specific to each intersection , but typically around 428 ° F . Erdle also monish not to habituate damage or deteriorating silicone polymer , such as silicone polymer that is sticky , cracked , or oily , and to fend off using incisive tool on silicone polymer surfaces to keep tearing .
“ intellectual nourishment - grade silicone polymer is highly heating system - immune and can typically sustain a wide range of temperatures , from down to – 40 ° F , which is much colder than household freezers , to up to 428 ° atomic number 9 to 500 ° fluorine at the high end , depending on formulation , ” Erdle says . “ Beyond this , silicone polymer can start out to degrade , discolor , expiration fumes , or become unannealed . try out to avoid free burning high-pitched heat in unconstipated use , such as repeated bake at easy lay temps . This may demean silicone more quickly , even if it does n’t melt . ”You should also clean silicone polymer utensil on a regular basis to prevent oil color buildup , which may give to degradation over time . Erdle allege it is typically secure to put silicone polymer utensil in thedishwasher , but verify to put them in the top wheel , if possible , to ward off proximity to heating plant elements .
https://www.nytimes.com/2025-04-07/well/black-plastic-health.html
