Food grade silicone can be a safe and convenient alternative to plastic. Due to its flexibility, light weight, easy cleaning and hygienic and hypoallergenic properties (it has no open pores to harbor bacteria), it is especially convenient for snack containers, bibs, mats, silicone educational baby toys and silicone bath toys. Silicone, not to be confused with silicon (a naturally occurring substance and the second most abundant element on Earth after oxygen) is a man made polymer created by adding carbon and/or oxygen to silicon.Because it is malleable, soft, and shatterproof, it is surging in popularity. The FDA has approved it, “as a food-safe substance” and it can now be found in numerous baby pacifiers, plates, sippy cups, baking dishes, kitchen utensils, mats and even baby toys.