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Product Library · Last updated 2026-05-20

Cookware

Non-stick, cast iron, and stainless steel pans on a hob

Every piece of advice below comes from official tests, consumer test reports, or publicly available data from international food-safety bodies. Click the links to check the original sources.

How to tell if this affects your family

  • If your non-stick pan's coating is scratched, flaking, or sticking, it's probably time to replace it.[1][2]
  • When a non-stick pan is overheated or dry-heated — say, above 260°C — it may release chemicals. If you notice an unusual smell, pay attention.[3][4]
  • Cooking acidic foods in uncoated metal pans (such as cast iron or aluminium) can cause metals to leach into the food.[5][6]
  • Keep an eye on product recall notices from government agencies to check whether any pan you own has been recalled for safety reasons.[7][8]

What you can do today

  • If the coating on your non-stick pan is scratched or flaking, replace it for the sake of your family's health.[2][1]
  • Use wooden, silicone, or plastic utensils when cooking — avoid metal ones that can scratch the non-stick coating.[9][10]
  • Keep the heat under control. Never let a non-stick pan get too hot, especially when it's empty.[3][4]
  • When cleaning, use a soft cloth and mild detergent. Avoid steel wool or abrasive scrubbers that can damage the surface.[9][10]
  • If you use cast iron or aluminium pans, be especially careful when cooking acidic foods to reduce the chance of metal leaching.[5][6]

What to look for next time you shop

  • When buying a non-stick pan, look for ones labelled "PFAS-free" or "PFOA/PFOS-free" — these give you more peace of mind.[11][12]
  • Ceramic or enamel-coated pans are decent alternatives, though you still need to handle them carefully to avoid scratching.[13][14]
  • High-quality stainless steel (e.g. 304 or 18/8, 18/10) is generally more durable and safer.[15][16]
  • A properly seasoned and well-maintained cast iron pan can last a very long time and develop a natural non-stick quality.[17][15]
  • When buying, check whether the product meets relevant safety standards, such as national standards or EU standards.[18][19]

Reference standards

  • EU ban on BPA in baby bottles — The EU has prohibited the use of BPA in baby bottles since 2011. Alternatives such as BPS are not subject to the same regulation and their safety remains uncertain. Official source
  • PFOA phase-out in non-stick coatings — Major non-stick cookware manufacturers phased out PFOA from 2013 onwards. The new generation of "PFOA-free" and ceramic coatings is considered safer. Official source

Sources

Every piece of advice above corresponds to one or more of the sources below. Any parent can click through to check the original.

  1. [1] Consumer Council · consumer.org.hk/tc/article/583-non-stick-pans/583-non-stick-pans-knowledge
  2. [2] Choice (choice.com.au) · choice.com.au/home-and-living/kitchen/cookware/articles/is-it-time-to-throw-away-your-pans
  3. [3] Consumer Council · consumer.org.hk/en/shopping-guide/trivia/2021-trivia-pan
  4. [4] Stiftung Warentest (test.de) · test.de/Teflonbeschichtung-Ozonkiller-Bratpfanne-22006-0/
  5. [5] Consumer Council · consumer.org.hk/en/press-release/p-541-cast-iron-cooking-pots
  6. [6] Taiwan Food and Drug Administration · fda.gov.tw/TC/newsContent.aspx
  7. [7] U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls · cpsc.gov/Recalls/2016/Macys-Recalls-Martha-Stewart-Stainless-Steel-Cookware
  8. [8] U.S. FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals, and Safety Alerts · fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-issues-warning-about-imported-cookware-may-leach-lead-august-2025
  9. [9] Choice (choice.com.au) · choice.com.au/home-and-living/kitchen/cookware/buying-guides/non-stick-frypans
  10. [10] Stiftung Warentest (test.de) · test.de/Pfannen-im-Test-5440108-5693126/
  11. [11] Consumer Reports (consumerreports.org) · consumerreports.org/home-garden/cookware/best-frying-pans-if-you-want-to-avoid-pfas-chemicals-a1006253549/
  12. [12] Stiftung Warentest (test.de) · test.de/Ewigkeitschemikalien-Das-Wichtigste-zu-PFAS-6192055-0/
  13. [13] Choice (choice.com.au) · choice.com.au/home-and-living/kitchen/cookware/buying-guides/ceramic-cookware
  14. [14] Taiwan Food and Drug Administration · consumer.fda.gov.tw
  15. [15] Consumer Reports (consumerreports.org) · consumerreports.org/home-garden/cookware/best-frying-pans-for-the-way-you-cook-a6216472507/
  16. [16] Which? (which.co.uk) · which.co.uk/reviews/cookware/article/best-saucepans-aS2Cs1S7bvP3
  17. [17] Which? (which.co.uk) · which.co.uk/reviews/cookware/article/how-to-buy-the-best-cast-iron-pans-ad0CI5w4uqqr
  18. [18] State Administration for Market Regulation · std.samr.gov.cn/gb/search/gbDetailed
  19. [19] EU Safety Gate · joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/eurl-food-contact-materials/eurl-fcm-technical-guidelines/eurl-fcm-testing-conditions-kitchenware_en

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