If you’ve ever wondered whether silicone is just a softer type of plastic, you’re not alone - it’s one of the most common questions we hear! Because silicone is flexible, durable, and moulded into kitchenware, many people assume it falls into the same category as traditional plastic.
While both materials have their place in a well-organised kitchen (our prepa meal-prep containers are made from food-safe, BPA-free Polypropylene plastic), silicone and plastic are chemically completely different.
Understanding that difference - and knowing how to spot high-quality silicone is essential for building a safe, long-lasting meal-prep routine. Here is why we chose silicone for our freezer moulds, and why we insisted on sourcing only the highest European grade: 100% LFGB-certified silicone.
Silicone vs. Plastic: What’s the Real Difference?
Traditional plastics are synthetic polymers derived from petrochemicals (crude oil). While food-grade plastics like Polypropylene (#5 PP) are excellent, rigid, and durable for everyday food containers, they behave very differently in extreme cold. Plastic becomes brittle when frozen, making it difficult to pop out individual portions without cracking the container or running it under hot water.
Silicone, on the other hand, is derived from silica (sand).
It is a rubber-like, flexible material that easily handles extreme temperatures, from freezer conditions down to -40°C straight to microwave or oven heating up to 230°C without cracking, warping, or degrading. For our freezer moulds, silicone was the obvious material to create smooth, pop-out "food blocks."
The Hidden Danger of Cheap Silicone (FDA vs LFGB)
Once you realise silicone isn't plastic, it’s easy to assume all silicone products are equal. But if you search online marketplaces like Amazon, you’ll find hundreds of cheap silicone moulds sold at bargain prices. Behind those lower price tags lies a common industry secret: cheap chemical fillers.
To save money, budget manufacturers often mix raw silicone with cheap plasticisers and synthetic fillers. When exposed to heat or repeated use, these fillers can leach chemical odours, alter the taste of your food, and degrade rapidly.
To protect your health, you need to know the difference between the two main global testing standards:
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FDA Standard (US Baseline): The standard FDA test is the basic benchmark for the United States. While it deems silicone safe, its testing parameters are less strict, allowing manufacturers to include subtle plastic fillers and bonding agents.
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LFGB Standard (European Premium): LFGB is the strict German and European standard for food-contact materials. It requires far more rigorous testing to guarantee zero toxic chemical transfers, heavy metals, or plasticisers, even under extreme temperatures or acidic conditions.
How to Spot Cheap Fillers: The "Pinch Test"
Want to check the quality of silicone in your kitchen? Take a piece and twist or pinch it tightly. If you see a white line appear along the crease, it means the product contains cheap plastic fillers!
Pure, high-grade silicone retains its solid colour no matter how much you twist, stretch, or pinch it.
The prepa Promise: 100% LFGB-Certified Silicone
At prepa, we don't cut corners on safety or quality. Whether it’s our BPA-free plastic containers or our freezer moulds, we select materials purpose-built for the job.
For our Silicone Mould range, we insisted on 100% LFGB-certified silicone, giving you:
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Zero Plastic Fillers: Pure silicone that passes the pinch test every single time.
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Odour & Stain Resistance: Won't absorb smells from garlic, curries, or onions, keeping your meals fresh and pure.
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Total Peace of Mind: Fully BPA-free, phthalate-free, non-toxic, and tested to the highest European safety standards.
The Bottom Line
Silicone isn't plastic, it’s a safer, more flexible alternative designed for extreme temperature changes and effortless freezer portioning. While cheap alternatives on Amazon may look similar, investing in LFGB-certified quality ensures your food stays free from hidden chemical fillers.
Upgrade your freezer system with confidence. Explore our LFGB-certified Prepa Silicone Moulds today!
