LFGB vs FDA: what's the difference for a silicone mat?
The US FDA rule and Germany's LFGB both apply to silicone that touches food, but they ask different questions. The FDA rule asks how much material can be extracted from the silicone. LFGB, applied with the BfR recommendation for silicones, asks other questions: whether it changes the taste or smell of what touches it, whether specific harmful substances are present, and how much volatile material is left in it. A silicone mat that passes both has been checked from both directions.
The US side: 21 CFR 177.2600
The FDA rule for rubber in repeated food contact sets limits on total extractives in a solvent (n-hexane) and in water. It is one measurement, done four ways. What 21 CFR 177.2600 means walks through it. Our mat's silicone: four extractions, four passes, SGS report CANEC25032504501.
The German side: LFGB and the BfR
LFGB is Germany's Food, Articles of Daily Use and Feed Code. Sections 30 and 31 cover materials that contact food. For silicone, the test set follows the recommendation of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, the BfR, which publishes its own explanation: bfr.bund.de.
Our mat's silicone was tested by SGS in January 2026 (report CANEC25032638801). Six tests:
| Test | What it looks for | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Odour and taste | Whether the silicone changes the smell or taste of water held against it | 0 on a scale where the limit is 2.5. Pass |
| PAHs | 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzo(a)pyrene | None detected. Pass |
| Bisphenols | BPA, BPB, BPS, BPAF and two related compounds, across three migrations | None detected. Pass |
| Volatile organic matter | What is left in the cured silicone that can evaporate | 0.26% against a 0.5% limit. Pass |
| Total platinum | Residual catalyst from curing | None detected. Pass |
| Lead and cadmium | Heavy metals | None detected. Pass |
Side by side
| FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 | LFGB with BfR | |
|---|---|---|
| Total extractives (solvent and water) | Yes | Not part of our LFGB report |
| Odour and taste | No | Yes |
| Bisphenols (BPA and others) | No | Yes |
| PAHs | No | Yes |
| Volatile organic matter | No | Yes |
| Residual platinum | No | Yes |
| Lead and cadmium | No | Yes |
What to ask a supplier for
Both reports, with the lab's name, the report numbers and the dates. "LFGB grade" and "FDA grade" on a listing are phrases; a report number can be checked. Ours are available to buyers on request: seven tests across the two standards, seven passes.
Questions
What is LFGB?
Germany's Food, Articles of Daily Use and Feed Code. Sections 30 and 31 cover materials that touch food. For silicone, testing follows the recommendation of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).
Is LFGB stricter than FDA?
For silicone it tests different and more specific things. The FDA rule measures total extractives. LFGB with the BfR recommendation tests odour and taste, bisphenols, PAHs, volatile organic matter, residual platinum and heavy metals.
Should a silicone mat pass both?
Passing both covers the US rule and the broader European test set. Ask for both reports, with the lab name and report numbers.
