Not all silicone smells — why you can trust Miniware silicone

If you’ve ever opened a brand-new package of silicone baby gear and been hit with a strong, chemical odor—or noticed your toddler’s plate starting to smell like dish soap after a few washes—you aren't alone.

Lately, many parents have expressed concerns about silicone. There’s a growing perception that silicone is "smelly" or that it leaches chemicals into food. But here is the truth: not all silicone is created equal. At Miniware, we believe in transparency and premium materials. If you’ve had a bad experience with smelly silicone in the past, it’s likely because you weren't using Platinum Grade silicone. Here is why the quality of silicone matters and why Miniware is a brand you can trust.

Why does some silicone smell?

The "smell" people often associate with silicone usually comes from one of two things: the curing process or the use of cheap fillers.

Peroxide Curing (The Budget Option): Most inexpensive silicone products are "peroxide-cured." This process uses heat and peroxide to stabilize the material, which leaves behind volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chemical byproducts. These create that unpleasant "new plastic" smell.
Fillers: To lower costs, some manufacturers mix silicone with cheap fillers like clay. These fillers are porous and absorb odors from food or dish soap, which is why some plates end up smelling like "lemon-scented chemicals" after a trip through the dishwasher.

The Gold Standard: LFGB vs. FDA Approval

When shopping for silicone, you will often see two types of food-safe certifications: FDA (U.S. standard) and LFGB (German/European standard). While both are safe, they are not the same level of quality.

FDA Standard: The baseline for food-grade silicone in the US. It ensures the material is safe for food contact but has less rigorous testing for chemical migration.
LFGB Standard: This is the "gold standard" for food safety. The testing process for LFGB is significantly more intensive and stricter than the FDA's. To pass LFGB certification, the silicone must demonstrate that zero harmful substances or odors migrate from the material into food, even under extreme conditions.

Miniware products are designed to meet both FDA and LFGB standards. By choosing LFGB-certified materials, we ensure our silicone is tougher, higher-grade, and completely free of the substances that cause those "off" smells.

The Platinum Difference: Pure and Odorless

At Miniware, we use Platinum Grade silicone, and in specific cases, Medical Grade silicone. Unlike peroxide-curing, Platinum Curing uses a precious metal catalyst, resulting in a material that is:

Completely Odorless and Tasteless: No chemical byproducts mean no scent to "off-gas."
Ultra-Durable: It withstands extreme temperatures without degrading or leaching.
Non-Porous: It won't trap the scent of your dish soap or last night's spaghetti.

How to tell if your silicone is high-grade: Pinch test and LFGB certification

Not sure if the silicone in your kitchen is the good stuff? You can perform a simple "Pinch Test": Take the silicone and pinch or twist a flat surface.

If the material turns white where it is stretched, it contains fillers. Pure, Platinum Grade, and LFGB-certified silicone (like Miniware) will maintain its color throughout the stretch because it is 100% pure silicone through and through

Why Miniware is the safe choice for your family

We know that as a parent, your first priority is the health and safety of your little ones. When we designed the Miniware line, we chose Platinum Grade silicone because it bridges the gap between convenience and safety.

Our silicone products—from Training Spoons to Silifold plates—are:

Non-toxic and BPA/Phthalate-free.
LFGB-certified for the highest level of European safety.
Safe for the dishwasher, microwave, and freezer

Don't let a bad experience with a "smelly" budget brand deter you. By choosing Miniware, you are choosing a higher standard of purity for your child’s mealtime.