When sourcing or developing food contact silicone products for baby products, kitchen utensils, etc., you may ask: How do I differentiate between LFGB and FDA food-grade silicone products? This article provides a detailed introduction to the differentiation method to help you select products correctly, reduce compliance risk, and lower decision-making costs.
What are LFGB Food Silicone Products?
LFGB food-grade silicone products are food contact silicone products that meet the requirements of the German Codex Alimentarius and Commodity Code. This regulation is mainly used in the German market and has a high level of acceptance in the European market. So, which products can comply with the LFGB standard? Generally, baby products, baking molds, kitchen tools, and food storage products.
There are four criteria in total: the product passes a migration test in accordance with European standards, it does not release harmful substances into food under specified conditions of use, and it may be subject to sensory testing for odor and taste. And also need to have a perfect third-party laboratory issue a test report through the qualification certificate. It has more test items relative to the FDA food grade.
What are FDA Food Silicone Products?
FDA food-grade silicone products are those that comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations for food contact materials. This standard applies to the US market. There are three requirements for passing the FDA grade standard.
Silicone raw material formulations comply with the prescribed use list, they will not exceed the migration limits after passing the test, and they are safe for repeated contact with food under the prescribed temperature and use conditions. The FDA itself does not have a certificate of certification; it is merely a statement of material compliance for third-party testing reports.
How to Tell The Difference between LFGB And FDA Food Silicone Products
Official Verification Method
Official Test Report
When you purchase, the supplier or factory will give you the relevant material certification report; you need to check whether it is complete. Including product name, batch number, test date, test items, and results.LFGB test reports are issued by Germany, EU-accredited laboratories, and also include migration tests and sensory tests, such as odor and taste; FDA compliance is 21CFR regulations, and the list of permitted substances of these two. The focus is on permitted substances and migration limits. Third-party laboratories issue the relevant reports.
Suitable Laboratory Qualifications
Although the reports are the most authoritative, they must be issued by an authoritatively recognized organization or third party to be credible. So check the qualifications of the labs: LFGB labs must be officially accredited in Germany, while FDA-compliant labs need to meet US 21CFR or third-party accreditation standards.
You have to check whether the laboratory qualification number is within the scope of accreditation. Otherwise, you can’t completely trust self-tests from unqualified laboratories or suppliers.
Period of validity and batch of reports
Although you get the report or material statement, you must first make sure that the expiration date and batch number correspond to the product you are looking at. Reports that exceed the expiration date will not be recognized by the market. You need to note that the validity period of LFGB is usually 1-3 years, and there is no fixed validity period for FDA materials.
Only after that can you make a judgment based on the content of the test you get in your hand. In the case of LFGB products, the report will contain sensory tests; in the case of FDA, the material will focus only on permitted substances and migration limit reports.
Empirical Methods
Smell
LFGB products are very strict in sensory requirements; the test report requires that the product can not produce odor, so LFGB food-grade silica gel is almost odorless and will not affect the taste of food.
FDA products have less stringent odor requirements, and they may contain a slight odor. But this is within the range of US offenses. You can judge it by smelling the sample in the preliminary judgment: the smell is very light, no pungent odor, it is more likely to be LFGB; if there is a slight odor, but the report shows that the material migration limit is qualified, it may be an FDA product.
Touch
Because LFGB has strict requirements for material purity and sensory, its silicone products are smooth, soft, and very elastic. FDA does not have a mandatory standard for tactility, so it may be slightly rough or generally elastic.
You can knead or squeeze the material samples with your hands. If the feel is very smooth, and the resilience is very good, then it is generally an LFGB product; if the feel is general, slightly granular, then it may belong to the FDA product system.
Quick Heat
LFGB food-grade silicone also has strict requirements for high temperature tolerance, while FDA product silicone does not have particularly strict requirements for this. You can test the material by placing it in hot water or subjecting it to a hot/cold cycle for a few minutes.
Observe the shape, elasticity, and odor release of the material; LFGB products retain their original shape and softness with no noticeable odor. FDA, on the other hand, may show slight deformation or odor under the same test conditions. This is just a quick judgment and not a complete substitute for an official test report.
Label And Packing
This method is more intuitive and does not require any testing. Simply look at the packaging labeling of the material product. LFGB products are usually labeled
“LFGB tested/certified”, especially if they are exported to Germany or the EU market. FDA products are usually labeled “FDA compliant / 21 CFR”. 21 CFR. You can quickly determine the regulatory direction of a product by simply looking at the label. However, this is only possible if you make sure that the information on the label is true and reliable.
Materials, Technical Parameters, and Methods
Ingredients List
You can check the ingredient list. There are some differences between LFGB and FDA; LFGB raw materials are pure, do not allow any additives, dyes, fillers, etc. that affect the sensory organs, and release chemicals. FDA mainly focuses on the list of permitted substances and migration limits; a small amount of migratory dyes or fillers will be allowed. So there will be some dyes or fillers in the FDA’s ingredient list.
Temperature Resistance
LFGB products have good high-temperature resistance. Its technical parameters will have a higher temperature resistance range and stricter hardness and elasticity indicators. FDA products have low requirements for temperature resistance and physical indicators, so their hardness, rebound rate, and high-temperature resistance parameters are generally not as high as LFGB.
Technical Reference Documents and Test Content
The same thing happens when you were taught to look at labels before, and now when you are taught to look at reports. If you see BfR Recommendation or LFGB-related standards in the “Test Standard” or “Reference Standard” report, it means that it is the LFGB system. If it is a 21 CFR clause, it is the FDA system.
Below is the most professional testing method to distinguish between the LFGB and the FDA.
| Item | LFGB Testing Content | FDA Testing Content |
| Overall Migration Test | Mandatory | Generally required, with a focus on compliance with migration limits |
| Specific Migration Test | Mandatory; evaluates the release of specific substances | Verifies whether permitted substances exceed regulatory limits |
| Permitted Substances | Controlled according to BfR recommendations | Strictly regulated according to the 21 CFR permitted substances list |
| Sensory Test (Odor & Taste) | Mandatory: product must not produce odor or affect food taste | Generally not mandatory |
| High-Temperature Testing | Migration and sensory tests were conducted under high-temperature conditions | Migration testing conducted; sensory performance not emphasized |
| Hazardous Substance Testing | Includes heavy metals and other potentially harmful substances | Focuses on substances restricted under FDA regulations |
| Overall Strictness | Generally stricter, especially regarding sensory requirements | Primarily focused on chemical compliance |
Choosing Between LFGB and FDA Products
Consider Your Target Market
LFGB products are suitable for export to food contact products throughout the EU, and the FDA is the main regulator on food contact materials in the United States, which is suitable for export to the United States. If your product needs to cover both the EU and US markets, dual compliance can be considered, which can reduce market risk.
Evaluate Product Type
Baby products, tableware, and kitchen products: LFGB has strict sensory requirements and is suitable for making kitchenware that requires a high product experience. The FDA has low sensory requirements and is suitable for standard kitchen items, baking molds, or ordinary tableware exported to the United States. If it needs to be used in a higher temperature environment, LFGB will be better.
Regional Regulations
You need to choose according to the regulations of where you export. In the EU region, food contact materials must comply with EU food safety regulations, and LFGB has a high degree of recognition in the EU.
If exported to the United States, the FDA can serve as a basic compliance product. In Asia, the Middle East, or other emerging markets, regulations are less stringent. But importers also refer to FDA or EU standards as a safety basis. Dual compliance can also be chosen to reduce risk.
Factor in Cost & Production Implications
LFGB products are strictly tested; the production cost is higher than that of the FDA, the raw materials are required to be pure, and the production process of dyes and fillers is more complicated.
FDA products are relatively less demanding in terms of materials and testing. Lower cost. If you want to go to the high-end market, it is recommended to choose LFGB. If you have cost restrictions and only export products from the United States, then choose FDA.
FAQ
Are LFGB and FDA food-grade Silicone the Same Material?
Not exactly, but it can be. It is said that they have the same basic material rental car, but which certification standard it meets depends not only on the material type, but also on whether it meets the testing standards and compliance requirements of the corresponding regulations. However, the same silicone raw material can meet both FDA and LFGB standards.
Can FDA Silicone Be Sold in Europe？
Can be sold. However, it must comply with EU regulations on food contact materials. Silicone products that are only FDA-compliant are not guaranteed to be legally sold. What is required by law is that the products sold must comply with the EU framework regulation on food contact materials. Nor does it mean that it must pass the LFGB standard to be sold.
Is LFGB Silicone Automatically FDA Compliant?
No. Although the LFGB test is stricter than the FDA, it does not mean that as long as it complies with the LFGB, it must comply with the FDA, because they each belong to different legal systems, and the list of raw materials allowed may not be the same, and the conditions of the test and the relevant technical documents are not completely consistent.
Although it has passed the LFGB, it is also evaluated according to the FDA’s substance list and testing requirements.
Can LFGB or FDA food Silicone Products Be Mixed with other Materials Safely?
Yes, but only if the materials mixed need to comply with relevant regulations and cannot affect food safety and product performance. It must also be verified by relevant tests to prevent chemical reactions, precipitation of harmful substances or modification of original properties.
Can Silicone Products Lose Compliance after High-temperature Use or Repeated Washing?
Not with normal use. But if the temperature exceeds the LFGB’s test range, it may release migrants and change the smell and taste. FDA migration limits will not exceed FDA standards as long as the temperature does not destroy the material formulation and the material.
If a cleaning agent with a strong acid or a strong base is used, both systems will change the surface properties of the silica gel, and the migration substance will exceed the standard.
Do OEM Factories Need Separate LFGB and FDA Reports for the Same Product?
Yes, OEM factories that export the same product to Europe and the United States at the same time usually need to provide LFGB and FDAA reports separately because their testing standards and requirements are different, and the reports cannot be replaced with each other.
Final Thought
Legensilicone‘s raw materials can be double-validated by LFGB and FDA. Our silicone products are odor-free, heat-resistant, and elastic, and our laboratories are nationally recognized to produce compliant products that satisfy you based on your needs. If you are interested, please contact us.
