New York Considers Ban on Popular Non-Stick Cookware Over Health Concerns

A new proposal in Albany could soon make certain non-stick kitchen products illegal in New York State as lawmakers respond to growing health concerns linked to chemicals used in cookware.

Over recent months, attention has intensified around public health and what Americans are exposed to (not just in the foods we eat but in the tools we use to prepare them). A major focus of concern is on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS which also referred to as "forever chemicals." According to state officials, these chemicals are used in popular non-stick coatings like Teflon.

A new bill introduced in the New York State Senate aims to prohibit the production, sale, and distribution of cookware containing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a specific type of PFAS commonly found in non-stick kitchen products such as pots, pans, cooking utensils, and small appliances.

These chemicals, known for their durability and resistance to heat, water, and oil, have raised alarms among health experts because of their persistence in the environment and potential harm to human health. The nickname “forever chemicals” comes from the fact that PFAS can take centuries to degrade and often accumulate in the human body over time.

A recent report from the Make America Healthy Again Commission - led by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - highlighted a concerning link between PFAS and various health issues in children. The report cited evidence associating exposure to these substances with suppressed immune function and abnormal cholesterol levels in young people.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also acknowledged that minimal exposure to PFAS can occur through food packaging and cookware. While the FDA currently permits their use, several states including Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Connecticut have passed legislation to restrict or phase out products containing these substances over the next few years.

The proposed ban has faced resistance from industry groups like the Cookware Sustainability Alliance. Their argument is that the same materials used in non-stick cookware have long been FDA-approved for medical devices including pacemakers and maintain a record of safety.

They emphasize that the coatings used are chemically stable, non-toxic, and do not dissolve in water or food.

However, independent researchers remain cautious. A 2022 Australian study found that a single damaged area on a Teflon-coated pan could release over 9,000 microplastic particles, potentially adding to PFAS exposure during cooking.

If passed, the proposed law could change the way millions of New Yorkers shop for and use cookware.

New York Considers Ban on Popular Non-Stick Cookware Over Health Concerns