What's Cooking? Nonstick Pan Study 2020

What’s worse than how the sausage gets made? How the pan gets made. New testing from the Ecology Center found that despite growing concern about the toxicity of “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, most nonstick cooking pans and some baking pans are coated with PTFE, a fluoropolymer made from PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances). PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is best known by the brand name Teflon™ and goes by several other brand names as well. 

We tested 14 nonstick cooking pans and 10 nonstick baking pans to identify their coatings. We found the following:

• 79% of the cooking pans were PTFE-coated.
• 20% of the baking pans were PTFE-coated.
• In some cases, product claims on the packaging could lead buyers to purchase PFAS-coated pans when they think they’re buying an alternative.
• Some of the alternatives may also be hazardous. Surprisingly, we found undisclosed BPA-based coatings on two of the baking pans and one of the cooking pans.
• Safer, more durable alternatives are readily available and provide good cooking performance. The Ecology Center suggests opting for uncoated pans made from cast iron or stainless steel or, for baking, glass or ceramic.

The full report is here and the complete list of pans and test results is below.

Published on December 15, 2020

Sample Listing

	Anolon Advanced Home Hard Anodized Non-stick Indigo, 8.5 in French Skillet	PTFE fluoropolymer
	Calphalon Hard-Anodized Nonstick 12 in. Fry Pan	PTFE fluoropolymer
	Circulon Bakeware Loaf Pan 9x5in	Silicone, PET
	Circulon Infinite 8" French Skillet	PTFE fluoropolymer
	Cooking Concepts Cake Pan	BPA-based epoxy
	Cooking Concepts Pizza Pan	BPA-based epoxy
	Cuisinart Classic Stainless Steel 8 in. Non-Stick Skillet	PTFE fluoropolymer
	Cuisinart Green Gourmet Induction 8" Skillet	Silicon dioxide
	Evolution Non-stick Fry Pan Set	BPA-based epoxy
	Family Chef 10 Inch Fry Pan Non-Stick	PTFE fluoropolymer
	Family Chef 12 Inch Pizza Pan	Silicone, PET
	Farberware Reliance Aluminum Nonstick 8 in. Skillet	PTFE fluoropolymer
	G&S ProBake Nonstick 12-Cup Muffin Pan	Polyethersulfone, PTFE fluoropolymer
	Goodful Titanium Ceramic Non-Stick Fry Pan	Silicon dioxide
	Grand Gourmet Brownie Pan 11 in. x 7 in.	Silicone, PET
	Granitestone Diamond Nonstick Aluminum 10 in. Fry Pan	PTFE fluoropolymer
	Made By Design Non-Stick 12" x 17" Baking Sheet	Silicone, PET
	Mirro Get a Grip Pro 10 in. Fry Pan	Polyethersulfone, PTFE fluoropolymer
	MOKIKA Sunkitch Hotsun Fry Pan 20 cm	PTFE fluoropolymer
	Ozeri 8-Inch Stone Earth Frying Pan	PTFE fluoropolymer
	Sunbeam Large Cookie Sheet	Silicone, PET
	T-fal Initiatives 8 in. Fry Pan	PTFE fluoropolymer
	True Living 9 in. Round Cake Pan DuraGlide PLUS Non-Stick Finish	Polyethersulfone, PTFE fluoropolymer
	Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Bakeware Small Cookie Pan	Silicone, PET