What is the Difference Between Food Grade and Medical Grade Silicone?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between food grade and medical grade silicone lies in their intended applications and the strictness of their standards. Here are the key differences:
Food Grade Silicone:
- Safe for use with food, such as food storage or cooking utensils.
- Typically found in products like silicone molds, baking mats, and baby products.
Medical Grade Silicone:
- Safe for use in applications that touch human skin or are in contact with other human tissue.
- Tested for biocompatibility, meaning it is designed for safe use inside the body.
- Meets USP standards and approval from ISO and FDA.
- Has a good history of successful testing of implantation on animals and humans.
- Stricter standards in terms of manufacturing process and quality control.
- Used in applications like implants, catheters, syringe pistons, menstrual cups, and more.
While both food grade and medical grade silicone are non-toxic, temperature-resistant, and inert, medical grade silicone is held to a higher standard due to its more sensitive applications. It is essential to choose the appropriate type of silicone for each specific application to avoid harm and ensure safety.
Comparative Table: Food Grade vs Medical Grade Silicone
The main differences between food-grade and medical-grade silicone are their intended uses, durability, and the standards they must meet. Here is a table comparing the two:
Property | Food-Grade Silicone | Medical-Grade Silicone |
---|---|---|
Intended Use | Safe for contact with food, such as storage and cooking | Safe for applications that touch human skin or are in contact with human tissue |
Durability | Generally less durable, may shrink or become brittle over time | More durable, with greater temperature and chemical resistance |
Standards | Meets food safety regulations, such as FDA, BfR, and EU regulations | Meets medical safety regulations, including USP standards, ISO, and FDA approval |
Applications | Examples include baking molds, ice cube trays, kitchen utensils, food containers, and gaskets for food processing machines | Examples include long-term implantable devices, medical-healthcare grade silicone, and class VI silicone tested for biocompatibility |
Curing Systems | Platinum-catalyzed curing systems are recommended for both food-grade and medical-grade silicones | Platinum-catalyzed curing systems are recommended for both food-grade and medical-grade silicones |
Both food-grade and medical-grade silicones are non-toxic, odorless, and inert, making them safe for their respective applications. However, medical-grade silicones must meet stricter standards due to their more sensitive applications, such as contact with human tissue.
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