Culinary Arts & Food Contact

The silicone rubbers listed below were tested by an independent laboratory and were found to comply with 21 CFR 177.2600 (as published in the Code of Federal Regulations)* for rubber articles intended for repeated use food contact surfaces when accurately measured, thoroughly mixed, and fully cured. Read more in our FAQ section below.

Possible culinary or food processing applications include:

• Candy molds
• Gummy molds
• CBD or THC gummy molds
• Ice molds and trays
• Chocolate molds
• Butter molds
• Cake decorating and fondant molds
• Gaskets and seals for food-processing environments

Benefits of Polytek silicones:

• Silicone molds provide non-stick release properties for many food-based casting mediums
• Dimensional stability for precise dispensing amounts
• Easy to clean
• long mold life when properly built and maintained

Processing:

Review individual product Technical Bulletins for processing instructions. Prior to using silicone molds or parts for food applications, thoroughly wash the mold or part with a water and dishwashing detergent solution, rinse, and allow to dry. When applicable, thoroughly wash the mold or part in between batches. If baking, do not expose the mold to temperatures above 400°F.

*Compliance with this regulation does not mean that these silicone rubbers are FDA approved - the user of these materials must also comply with all applicable FDA requirements to be approved. The addition of additives, such as color pigments, create conditions that have not been tested and therefore no statement can be made with respect to their FDA compliance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Rubber used in applications that involve the production, packaging, processing, preparing, or containing food or beverages must meet requirements set forth by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent contamination. Rubbers which meet these FDA requirements have been evaluated and tested and found to comply with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 and are considered safe for use in food contact applications.

What is FDA CFR 21 177.2600?

FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 is the portion of the Code of Federal Regulations which defines what is required for a rubber article if it is intended to come in repeated contact with food items. This is the standard which our silicones approved for food-contact have been tested against.

Is your silicone “food-safe”?

The term “food-safe” is not one that is specifically used by the FDA when defining which materials may come in contact with food. Instead, the FDA defines what is required of “food contact substances”. Our silicones listed above have been evaluated and tested by an independent laboratory and found to comply with FDA 21 CFR 177.2600. This means that when all processing instructions are followed, the cured part meets the FDA criteria for “food contact substances” and may be used in repeated contact with food items.

Can I make a food grade mold from your silicones?

The term “food-grade” can mean different things depending upon the context. The FDA has extensive regulations and evaluation criteria intended to determine that every additive in any given food is safe for human consumption. This refers to things such as direct food additives which are added to food items to improve their characteristics. On the other hand, “food grade” often is used to refer to materials which have been determined to be acceptable to come in direct contact with food products. This implies that the surfaces cannot contain toxic components. In this way, silicone rubbers which have been designated as safe for food contact have been evaluated and tested to verify they comply with the requirements for items in repeated direct contact with food items.

What do I need to do to make sure my silicone mold/part meets the FDA requirements?

• Use a silicone rubber that has been tested and certified to meet FDA 21 CFR 177.2600
• Review product Technical Bulletins for processing instructions.
• Prior to using silicone molds or parts for food applications, thoroughly wash with water and dishwashing detergent solution, rinse, and allow to dry

What if I want to change the color of my silicone mold using an additive?

The silicone rubbers listed above as food safe have been tested when mixed and cured according to the processing instructions provided in the individual product Technical Bulletins. Any modifications or deviations to these instructions, such as adding a color, create conditions that have not been tested and therefore no statement can be made with respect to their FDA compliance. Any adjusted formulation would require separate evaluation and product testing. Please contact us if you have a specific need you would like to discuss.