Expert: Carol Schlitt - 10/28/2009

Question
Please, i wish to know are the silicone cookware and food containers toxic: like tomato soup in silicone container for fridge or muffins baked in sillicone ware?

Answer
Hi Ives,

Since you live in Croatia I can not speak to the quality of silicone products found in your market.  Here in the US, silicone bakeware is made of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved food-grade silicone. According to the FDA, silicone pans and molds are appropriate for all foods. The long-term safety of the product has not been definitively determined but the FDA did determine with the current research that it is safe for bakeware use.

The plastic lining used in acidic foods often contains a chemical known as BPA -- a known carcinogen in high doses.  Many canned food manufacturers use BPA plastics but attest that the levels they use are well below the minimum standards set by the FDA.  If you are concerned about the plastic-lined foods you purchase in your country, call, email or write the manufacturer to inquire if they use BPA in the manufacturing of their plastic liners. Very young children and pregnant women should avoid BPA products (some brands of water bottles, baby bottles, cans lined with plastic, etc).

For maximum safety, store foods in the refrigerator in inert materials such as glass.

Carol