Why is cooking without PFAS and PFOA so important, and what do these abbreviations actually mean? In your kitchen, you want to cook both deliciously and healthily. But that is not only about the ingredients you use. Cooking with pans free of harmful substances also plays a crucial role. What do these terms stand for, and what exactly does cooking without PFAS and PFOA mean?
What are PFAS and PFOA, and are they in your cookware set?
PFAS is a collective name for synthetic chemicals, including poly- and perfluorinated compounds. These substances are used to make objects resistant to water, oil, and dirt, such as the non-stick pans you might currently have in your kitchen cabinet.
The tricky thing about PFAS: they hardly break down. Research shows that some chemical components take up to 800 years to fully decompose. That is why they are also called "forever chemicals."
PFOA stands for perfluorooctanoic acid and consists of perfluorinated carboxylic acid and fluorosurfactants. These harmful substances were also used for a long time in the production of household utensils, cookware sets, non-stick cookware, and oven dishes were typical applications. In the past, you mainly found PFOA in non-stick pans with a classic Teflon coating.
What is the difference between PFAS and PFOA?
PFAS is the overarching group of chemical substances, while PFOA is one specific substance within that group. All PFOA is PFAS, but by no means all PFAS is PFOA.
The PFAS group includes thousands of different compounds. They share the same property: they repel water, grease, and dirt, and hardly break down in nature. PFOA was used for years in the production of classic non-stick coatings and is now banned in Europe.
So pay close attention when buying a new pan. "PFOA-free" does not automatically mean a pan is also free of all other PFAS. If you want to be really sure, choose cookware that is both PFAS- and PFOA-free.
Why cooking with PFAS- and PFOA-free cookware is so important
Cooking without PFAS and PFOA is more than a trend; it is a conscious choice. Especially if the environment and health matter to you, both yours and your family's. Both groups of substances are demonstrably harmful to our environment and our health. During the production process, PFAS already enter the air, water, and soil, and thus inevitably our food chain.
Think of the fish on your plate, meat, fruit, vegetables, even your tap water. Moreover, when a pan with a traditional non-stick coating overheats, toxic fumes can be released. These spread through your kitchen and you breathe them in without realizing it. Those who cook with pans that are not PFAS- and PFOA-free intake a significant amount of harmful substances daily.
Research even shows that a considerable amount of harmful substances can be released during cooking with these types of pans. For this exact reason, these sets should not be used at high temperatures. There are two reasons for this: high heat damages the coating, and the non-stick surface releases toxic fumes. The coating starts to break down, and that is precisely the moment when chemicals enter your meal and your breath.
What health risks do PFAS and PFOA pose?
Even if you are careful and never cook on high heat, chances are you have already ingested PFOA. Are you still using a cookware set made with one of these chemicals? Replace it as soon as possible with a safe, PFOA-free alternative. A high concentration in the body can cause serious health problems.
Studies indicate an increased risk of a weakened immune system, hormonal imbalance, elevated cholesterol, certain types of cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. A healthy lifestyle does not start with the salad; it starts with the choice of your pan.
What does LFGB-tested mean?
LFGB is the German food safety standard that tests whether materials release substances into food. The abbreviation stands for Lebensmittel- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch, the German food and feed code.
During an LFGB test, cookware is checked under realistic conditions. Does a coating release substances into your food when heated? Then the product fails the test. The LFGB standard is considered one of the strictest food safety standards in Europe, stricter than the standard EU rules.
If you see an LFGB mention on a pan or cookware set, you know the material has been tested for food contact. A handy guide if you are looking for safe cookware.
Which pans allow you to cook safely and responsibly?
A kitchen is almost unthinkable without a good non-stick or frying pan. The good news: there are quality pans with a 3-layer non-stick coating, completely free of PFAS and PFOA. This also applies to your other kitchen utensils: meat tongs, spatulas, and spoons with coating.
If you want to cook responsibly and without harmful coatings, you no longer have to compromise on design. The 12-piece CuliStack cookware set is the perfect example: a stackable cookware set with a safe, 3-layer premium non-stick coating, completely free of PFAS and PFOA.
Choosing non-toxic pans is a small effort with a big impact. You cook healthier every day, you protect your family, and you contribute to a cleaner environment. Delicious cooking starts with a good, safe pan.
