One of the hottest trends in cookware is gaining exciting momentum! It’s packed with “quasi-ceramic” wares, endorsed by the likes of Selena Gomez, Tan France, Gwyneth Paltrow, Stanley Tucci and Drew Barrymore. These products have surged in popularity due to claims of unnatural health benefits and ‘reactive’ ‘non-toxic’ functions. Lawmakers and health experts alike are taking a much harder look at these products, asking whether or not they’re safe, and if so, transparent. This is happening as Washington is getting ready to officially announce the nation’s first ever national limits on toxic substances in cookware.
Next year’s proposed regulations will set a maximum level of 90 parts per million (ppm). By 2028, that threshold will decrease even further to only 10 ppm. This action is a much-needed response to increasing consumer concern about dangerous materials used in cookware, especially those referred to as “quasi-ceramic.” Until now, companies such as Our Place, Caraway and GreenPan have been using these claims to market their products as ‘PFAS-free’ or ‘chemical-free’ cookware. Unfortunately, recent research shows these assertions often don’t fully pass the smell test.
The Rise of Quasi-Ceramic Cookware
In recent years, high-profile endorsements have propelled quasi-ceramic cookware into the spotlight. Celebrities like Gomez, Paltrow, and Tucci have released their own lines, bringing even more buzz to these products. One shining case in point is Our Place’s Always Pan, which has been lauded for its multifunctionality and instagrammable colors. The firm has been open about their product not being 100% ceramic. In reality, it’s a “ceramic precursor,” which produces the same product, but with a different recipe and thin aluminum underlayment.
This has caused many consumers and experts to scratch their heads. When it comes to ceramics, vague descriptions such as “quasi-ceramics” do not inspire confidence. These products claim to deliver the same type of benefits as ceramic nonstick or traditional ceramic cookware. They typically consist of organic and inorganic materials.
“Ceramic is totally inorganic whereas our sol-gel has organic and inorganic substances. The inorganic material is glass/silica. The organic material is an organic polymer.” – Always Pan maker Our Place
For one, the kitchenware advertising of brands like Caraway deserves scrutiny as well. Their ads tout products as “metal-free,” claim there’s no harmful chemicals or toxins in their products. The reality is much different, with recent research showing alarming amounts of toxic chemicals leaching from many of these cookware brands.
Regulatory Concerns and Health Implications
Additionally, as awareness around health and safety has grown, so too has concern over the safety of cookware—driving awareness among consumers. Washington’s new regulations address all of these concerns. Their limits on toxic substances allowed in cookware are much more stringent. That’s the issue that has the state’s Department of Ecology so alarmed. They are understandably concerned that manufacturers may be using siloxanes, a family of chemicals frequently used as substitutes of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in their products.
Initial research by environmental health advocates has revealed startling results. In fact, safe testing just found 70 ppm of toxic compounds in Our Place’s Always Pan. In addition, Tamara Rubin’s investigations found mercury in Caraway products and antimony throughout GreenPan’s cookware.
“It shouldn’t be up to consumers to sleuth and try to figure out the ingredients in pans so they can protect the health of themselves and their families.” – Laurie Valeriano
These latest discoveries have ignited discussion about the moral obligations of cookware companies to be transparent about what’s in their products. Experts argue that consumers should not have to navigate complex ingredient lists to determine the safety of the cookware they purchase.
The Science Behind Quasi-Ceramic Cookware
The material makeup of quasi-ceramic cookware is a major factor that consumers may need to be savvy about. Though nearly every children’s brand markets their product as a safer, non-toxic alternative brand, it’s not that simple. One peer-reviewed study comparing the nonstick functionality of these siloxanes to PFAS found that PFAS outperformed siloxanes on arrays of chemical functionalities. This begs the question, how effective is it to replace PFAS with other materials that could be harmful to human health and the environment?
Moreover, there are still questions about engineers should expect from these quasi-ceramic surfaces when subject to high temperature. Specialists alert that designs can thaw when temperatures are greater than 260°C (500°F). This melting can cause toxic chemicals to migrate into food during cooking. Considering such a risk raises questions that demand deeper exploration into the long-term safety of such cookware.
“With all the things coming into the agency, they have not looked at all these lead issues, and there’s no public scrutiny of their priorities.” – Tom Neltner
Though several companies have taken big steps to increase transparency, many others seem reluctant to be transparent about what goes into their products. Caraway does confirm that they’ve begun using nanoparticles in their manufacturing process as of 2024, but insist that their exact formulations are proprietary.
“The formulation of Caraway’s ceramic cooking surfaces is proprietary.” – Caraway
For advocates for consumer safety including Public Citizen, there’s no substitute for the most rigorous premarket testing. So they’re calling on manufacturers to be transparent and put the public’s health first.