Frequently Asked Questions
Is PFOA-free cookware safe?
Not necessarily. PFOA-free means the product does not contain one specific PFAS compound (perfluorooctanoic acid), but it may still contain other PFAS chemicals like PTFE, GenX, or other fluorinated compounds. A pan labeled 'PFOA-free' can still have a PTFE (Teflon-type) non-stick coating, which is itself a PFAS. To be truly safe from forever chemicals, look for products labeled PFAS-free, not just PFOA-free.
What does PFAS-free actually mean?
PFAS-free means the product contains no per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances of any kind. This includes PFOA, PFOS, PTFE, GenX, and all other fluorinated compounds in the PFAS family. There are over 15,000 known PFAS chemicals, so PFAS-free is a much broader and more protective standard than PFOA-free.
Why do brands say PFOA-free instead of PFAS-free?
Because PFOA was phased out of US manufacturing in 2015, almost every product can now claim to be 'PFOA-free' while still using other PFAS compounds like PTFE. It is technically accurate but misleading. Brands that are truly PFAS-free will say so explicitly. If a product only claims PFOA-free, it likely still contains other PFAS.