Calphalon · Non-Stick Baking Molds
Silicone Baking Mold (Alphabet)
Lower concern. Silicone baking molds rarely contain PFAS.
Silicone is an inherently PFAS-free material with no known Teflon-family coating coatings in baking molds. Calphalon does not claim PFAS-free status, but standard food-grade silicone presents minimal forever chemical risk.
Shop Calphalon on Amazon →Material
Silicone (food-grade)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This product is made from food-grade silicone, a synthetic polymer created by cross-linking siloxane chains. Silicone does not leach chemicals into food at normal baking temperatures (up to ~450 F). Unlike non-stick coatings (Teflon-type coating) or ceramic glazes, silicone has no known thermal decomposition risk at home oven temperatures and does not require surface coatings that can degrade.
The brand's record and disclosure
Calphalon does not publicly disclose detailed material sourcing or third-party testing for this silicone mold line. The brand has no known recalls or safety statements specific to silicone bakeware. Calphalon is primarily known for cookware and non-stick products; silicone molds are a lower-profile category for the brand.
How it compares in its category
Silicone baking molds rank among the lowest-risk baking vessels. They avoid hazards associated with ceramic glazes (lead/cadmium), metal cookware (aluminum leaching), and traditional non-stick coatings (Teflon-type coating fume risk). Most competitors in the silicone mold category (Wilton, Oxo, generic brands) have similar safety profiles; silicone itself is the limiting factor, not brand differentiation.
If you buy it
Use on a baking sheet or wire rack to prevent direct contact with oven heat and ensure airflow. Wash by hand or on low dishwasher temperature; abrasive scrubbing can microscopically fray edges. Silicone molds are durable; replace only if torn, permanently stained, or if odor persists after washing. Store flat or rolled loosely; prolonged creasing may shorten lifespan but does not create hazards.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Silicone degradation and microparticle shedding
Food-grade silicone does not leach chemicals, but mechanical wear (creasing, abrasion, prolonged high heat) can cause microscopic particulate shedding. Risk is very low at normal home baking temperatures (below 450 F) and standard use. No studies document harm from incidental silicone particles in food.
Residual uncrosslinked oligomers
Food-grade silicone certified to FDA standards has undergone extraction testing to verify low migration of unreacted siloxane oligomers. No credible evidence of health effects from typical food-grade silicone molds. Calphalon does not publicly specify third-party certification for this product, but industry standard assumes FDA compliance.
Lead or cadmium contamination (if pigmented)
Alphabet molds likely contain food-grade pigments that do not include lead or cadmium. Colored silicone bakeware from major manufacturers is not known to exceed heavy metal limits. No recall history for Calphalon silicone molds on this basis.
Thermal decomposition or off-gassing
Silicone does not emit fumes or off-gas at home oven temperatures. Unlike Teflon-type coating-coated non-stick cookware or phenolic adhesives in composites, silicone is thermally stable well above typical baking ranges (stable to ~600 F). No odor or respiratory hazard risk in normal use.
Bacterial colonization if improperly stored
Silicone molds can harbor bacteria if not dried thoroughly or stored in damp conditions, as the surface is porous at the microscopic level. This is a hygiene issue, not a material hazard. Proper washing and air-drying eliminate risk. Not specific to Calphalon.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 88% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More non-stick baking molds grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.