Is Your Cookware Killing You? – Your Guide to Safe Cooking

You are on the road to clean eating, and filtering water - but are you thinking about what toxins are lurking in your cookware? Some cookware can leave traces of heavy metals, plastics, and chemicals! We created this guide to help you safely navigate away from the toxins so you can enjoy your cooking!

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By FMCA Team

We bet this title made you look twice! But could your cookware actually be killing you?

You’re on the road to clean eating and filtering water – but have you thought about what toxins could be lurking in your cookware? Some cookware can leave traces of heavy metals, plastics, and chemicals. In this post, we’ll shed light on the dangers of toxic cookware and help you choose the healthiest cookware around.

We created this guide to help you safely navigate away from the toxins so you can enjoy cooking safely.

WHAT IS THE SAFEST TYPE OF COOKWARE TO USE?

Glassware

Using tempered glass cookware is our ultimate recommendation for safe cooking – not only will it not leach toxins into your food, but it is also the most durable – on the chance it survives a fall.

Porcelain Enamel

Porcelain Enamel is a form of glass that coats metal pans, typically cast iron. While there may be concerns about using porcelain enamel due to lead leaching, however, if it is kept in good condition should evenly cook food with no toxic leaks!

Ceramic

Most, true ceramic cookware is typically safe from toxins such as lead or cadmium. Beware of brands that glaze their ceramic cookware with non-toxic inorganic minerals and oxide to create a “non-stick” surface. Ceramic cookware is typically not the most durable for reasons such as: not being dishwasher safe, low-quality construction, and less even heat distribution.

Cast Iron

Ole faithful cast iron cookware has been used for generations to help prevent anemia, plus being famously known for being durable and relatively low maintenance. Nowadays, since diets are more well rounded, it is best to use cast iron as a once in awhile/special occasion cookware item.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a chemical element that makes up about 8% of the Earth’s crust. Because of its abundance and low cost, it can be found in your cooking utensils, antacids, antiperspirants, and even your cookware! Being a highly reactive element, it can provide serious health risks when ingested. In a study conducted by the International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, aluminum has been linked to various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Teflon (PTFE)

While we love the idea of a non-stick pan – Teflon, also known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and other non-stick surfaces can exceed temperatures at which the coating breaks apart and emits toxic particles and gases linked to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pet bird deaths and an unknown number of human illnesses each year, according to tests commissioned by Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Stainless Steel

Nickel is a natural element that is found in small traces in your food, water, soil, and air. In addition, you can find it in batteries, coins, machinery, AND your stainless steel cookware. While naturally ingesting nickel in our foods is normal, overexposure can cause severe reactions such as gastrointestinal distress and pulmonary fibrosis.

We know upgrading your cookware can be quite expensive, so before you do a complete kitchen over-hall – maybe start one at a time. The main point is to be aware of the toxins that are lurking in plain sight and try to buy non-toxic cookware. 

 

Sources:
“Canaries in the Kitchen.” EWG, www.ewg.org/research/canaries-kitchen#.WdTot8lrzBI.

Kawahara, Masahiro, and Midori Kato-Negishi. “Link between Aluminum and the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease: The Integration of the Aluminum and Amyloid Cascade Hypotheses.” International Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, SAGE-Hindawi Access to Research, 8 Mar. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056430/.

“Non-Toxic Cookware Guide: Healthiest Cookware: Safest Cookware.” Gimme the Good Stuff, 12 July 2019, https://gimmethegoodstuff.org/safe-product-guides/cookware/.

Patiry, Megan. “10 Toxins Lurking in Your Cookware (& How to Avoid Them).” Paleo Blog, 15 May 2019, https://blog.paleohacks.com/toxins-in-cookware/#.

United States, Congress, “Nickel Compounds.” Nickel Compounds, Environmental Protection Agency, Sept. 2016. www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/nickle-compounds.pdf.

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