Is silicone food storage safe for reheating leftovers?
At low temperatures, silicone is likely fine. For high-heat cooking or baking, stainless steel and glass are safer.
What's actually in it
Silicone is a synthetic polymer made from silicon, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. It's used in bakeware, food storage, baby items, and cookware because it's flexible and heat-resistant.
Most silicone doesn't react with food under normal conditions. But research has found that silicone food contact materials can release cyclic siloxanes (D4, D5, D6) at high temperatures. D4 and D5 are endocrine disruptors.
What the research says
A 2026 study in molecules found that room-Temperature Air-Only Catalytic Oxidation of Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds: Mechanistic Insights and Emerging Catalysts..
Zhao D(1), Zhang L(1), Chen Y(1), Wang Y(1), Ding H(1)..
The research at a glance
What to use instead
Browse our vetted, non-toxic alternatives. Every product is third-party certified.
Shop Non-Toxic Kitchen