Eco-Friendly Non-stick Cookware

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Joyce Benson   3 Comments |
Tag(s): Food, Hazardous Products / Health Issues

With health and environmental concerns over the non-stick coating on conventional pots and pans, you may think your only option is to cook with regular, uncoated metal pans.  In that case, many times, you’ll find the food you cook will stick to, and make a mess in, the pan unless you use a good deal of oil, butter or cooking spray.  Now, a few manufacturers make cookware that doesn’t contain the questionable industrial chemicals PFOA and PTFE (also called Teflon).

“While PTFE itself is chemically inert and non-toxic, it begins to deteriorate after the temperature of cookware reaches about 500 °F (260 °C), and decompose above 660 °F (350 °C). These degradation products can be lethal to birds, and can cause flu-like symptoms in humans.”

PFOA is a compound used to make PTFE and in 2005 had been found to be a “likely carcinogen” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  It has also been linked to contaminated ground water near Dupont’s manufacturing plant (the only maker of PFOA in the U.S.).  PTFE cannot, as of yet, be made without the use of PFOA. (PTFE is also used in stain-resistant carpeting and clothing).

So, if you’re concerned about the environmental and human/animal impacts that PFOA and PTFE have, here are some alternatives:

• Cuisinart’s Green Gourmet.  This ceramic-based (free of PFOA, PTFE and petroleum), non-stick, scratch-resistant cookware is even packaged in 100% recycled, and recyclable, cardboard materials.  It is oven and broiler safe too, and the coating will not peel or flake off.  It comes with a limited lifetime warranty as well.  I’ve used the 12″ skillet and found it to be fanatastic.  It cooks evenly and no butter or oil is needed at all.
• I’ve also tried and loved the 8″ frypan by GreenPan, invented by chef and restaurateur Todd English.  Also, PFOA- and PTFE-free, this pan is lightweight, non-stick (even when cooking a sticky gooey concoction like I did!), scratch-resistant and dishwasher-safe.  It’s coating will not peel or flake either.
• Another brand, Starfrit Alternative Cookware, is dishwasher safe, is made with 99% recycled aluminum and is also ceramic-coated to provide a non-stick surface.  Its label is made of recycled paper and sets of pans come in re-usable, recycled plastic bins.

Source:  Answers.com

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