Raise your hand if you have silicone in your kitchen!
But… is silicone toxic?
What do you think? Do you use it?
Any time I post about silicone being a better option, I am met with a ton of comments saying it's *toxic* - but what does current research actually say?
Personally; I use silicone - I just typically don't bake with it much. We have a silicone muffin pan we use occasionally and a few utensils. But mostly I use it for storage. I really am trying to show more affordable low tox options and actually get to the root of what current literature says because I want YOU to make the BETTER choice for you, your family and your budget. Silicone has become a popular material for baking and cooking. It's flexible, durable, and easy to clean - it's also resistant to high high.
But is it actually "safe"? Well, it depends on what side of the internet you land on.. so here is what you should actually know:
While silicone has its perks, research suggests that at typical baking temperatures (~400 degrees and above) it may leach chemicals called siloxanes. Some of these may be endocrine disruptors - there are a few classified by the EU food safety authority as "substances of very high concern". For this reason, I personally avoid baking with silicone over ~400 degrees. It's likely that room temp, fridge, and the freezer are safe. So if you're making candies, popsicles, storing snacks... I truly would not worry much here.
My goal here is to give you the current facts without fear so you can make an informed decision.
So what about sustainability!?
Unlike plastic, silicone doesn't break down easily, meaning it sits in landfills for ages. While it's considered a safer alternative to plastic in some cases, it's not the most eco-friendly option. A silicone-coated spatula isn't recyclable, whereas a fully stainless steel one would be.
What About Parchment Paper? How does that get roped into the silicone conversations?
Most parchment paper is typically coated with silicone, which gives it non-stick properties! Although there hasn't been extensive research on parchment paper regarding siloxanes, one study from Denmark found no evidence of siloxanes leaching from the papers they tested. There are some indications that parchment paper may contain PFAS chemicals, but if they are present, it's likely as a contaminant from manufacturing, similar to how those "forever chemicals" appear as contaminants in numerous other products. They're harder to find, but vegetable-coated parchment paper exists - look for Patapar Paper.
Bottom line: Silicone may have some concerns in the form of siloxanes, but I wouldn't ever call it "toxic"! Like other practices around reducing avoidable exposures that may be harmful, just do your best!
References: PMID: 30798195, Cederberg, T. L., & Jensen, L. K. (2017). Siloxanes in silicone products intended for food contact: Selected samples from the Norwegian market in 2016. Kgs. Lyngby: National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark.
