Question from Bronwyn
Hello Debra, I recently received a suction-cupped placemat for my baby. (To be specific, it’s the “Tiny Diner” by the Summer Corporation). The product is made of “TPE”. I haven’t been able to find much information about this material other than the fact that the company says that it is “BPA, Phthalate, PVC, and Latex-free”. Do you know if this material is food-grade?
Debra’s Answer
I’m finding conflicting information on TPE.
TPE is the acronym for thermoplastic elastomers, also called theroplastic rubbers. They are usually a mix of a plastic and a rubber that results in a substance that has the properties of both.
There are six generic classes of commercial TPEs:
However, on websites selling products made from TPE, some claim it is made from hydrogen and carbon, totally nontoxic.
And then, I found this comment from a customer who bought a TPE yoga mat:
