We’ve come a long way in the products we choose for our kids. Our generation has had the benefit of growing up alongside a collective eco-consciousness, understanding the basics of plastics = not good, the importance of checking your labels, and a general awareness of the sheer volume of waste produced by our essential items. I’m showing my age here, but I distinctly remember the novelty of the re-useable shopping bag arriving at Woollies, and the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” campaign has been burned into my childhood memory.
This growing understanding of the potential harm caused by the materials in so many of our common products has led to some fantastic innovations, which have of course shown up in our babies and kids’ products. The awareness of the impact of micro-plastics and chemical leaching has led to a huge shift in feeding products, notably in bottles, where if a brand now doesn’t explicitly say BPA-free then it doesn’t get a second glance. Plates, cutlery and food storage containers have also evolved, with silicone, bamboo, and glass now expected replacements for plastics. And while all of these materials are great alternatives to plastics, for us there is one hero product that surpasses them all when it comes to safety and sustainability.
We’ve talked about our journey to stainless steel – it’s the backbone of The Feeding Zoo. And we really do believe that it’s the best material we can use with our kids. Food-grade, 304 stainless steel is the gold standard in food safety, used in kitchens by top chefs around the world, so why not in our own homes?
If we compare it to the endless number of silicone options on the market, stainless steel comes out as the better option in almost any way you look at it
- Stainless steel is completely non-porous – meaning that it doesn’t absorb a thing. Ever. Silicone is technically non-porous when it’s made to the highest quality, without any fillers, however any textured surfaces can trap food and bacteria, and stains and odours can linger (think tomato sauce, seasonings) making it act porous over time.
- There are zero toxins in stainless steel. None. Nada. Zip. Meaning that there’s no chance of anything leaching into your painstakingly made meals (even with heat or acidic foods).
- Stainless steel is durable. Like, “this could be an heirloom piece” durable. Our plates and cutlery are unbreakable (that’s a challenge!), dishwasher friendly and scratch resistant with The Feeding Zoo’s brushed, matte finish. Compare this to silicone, which can warp, tear and stain after heavy use.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle! Stainless steel is 100% recyclable, containing valuable elements like nickel and chromium, making it a sought-after commodity in the recycling industry. Local recycling drop-offs are generally easy to find in Australia (not that you’d ever want to part with your TFZ!). And while silicone is technically recyclable too, there are very few – or almost non-existent – recycling facilities here in Australia that collect recyclable silicone, so it often just ends up in your general rubbish bin.
And finally, in case you weren’t convinced yet, it looks good! We’ve had so much fun designing our TFZ pieces knowing they’ll look great in your homes. Whatever your aesthetic, our plates and cutlery will fit in seamlessly without sacrificing the fun that should come with good kids’ stuff!