Farberware · Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards
Farberware Food is Love 3-piece Cutting Mat and Parer Sheath Set
Skip until material composition and coatings are disclosed.
Farberware discloses no information about materials, coatings, or PFAS status for these cutting mats and sheath. Generic polymer products of unknown composition carry unquantified PFAS risk.
The safe swap
Trudeau
Trudeau Glass Drying Mat
90/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its A.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Cutting mats (polymer composition unspecified), parer sheath (polymer unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Marketed non-stick without stating the coating chemistry.
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Farberware has not publicly disclosed the specific polymer type used in these cutting mats or the parer sheath. Cutting mats are typically made from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or thermoplastic rubber blends, all of which are generally considered low-hazard for food contact when virgin-grade and not chemically treated. Without material specification from the manufacturer, it is impossible to assess whether these products contain recycled content, plasticizers, or antimicrobial additives that could leach into food. The parer sheath material is similarly unspecified, raising questions about potential off-gassing or contact with skin during repeated handling.
The brand's record and disclosure
Farberware is owned by Groupe SEB (a major cookware conglomerate) and markets itself as a value-oriented brand rather than a premium safety-focused one. The brand has not published material safety datasheets, third-party certifications (such as FDA compliance letters or BPA-free declarations), or ingredient transparency reports for this product line. No recalls or safety complaints specific to this cutting mat set have been documented in public databases, but the absence of disclosure is notable given industry standards for kitchen polymer products. Groupe SEB properties have faced scrutiny over PFAS use in non-stick cookware, though this particular set does not appear to be non-stick coated.
How it compares in its category
Cutting mats are among the lowest-hazard kitchen tools because they do not involve heat, coating degradation, or direct food contact under pressure (unlike cookware or food storage). Most competitors in the budget segment (Oxo, Rubbermaid, generic silicone mats) are similarly vague about polymer sourcing, though some offer explicit BPA-free or FDA compliance statements. Premium alternatives (Epicurean, wood, glass) command higher prices but offer clearer material traceability. This Farberware set occupies the typical mass-market space where cost minimization often trades off against material transparency.
If you buy it
Store both the mats and sheath away from direct heat and sunlight to minimize polymer aging and potential leaching of any residual monomers or additives. Do not expose to temperatures above 60 degrees C (140 F) in prolonged contact, as most food-grade polymers begin to soften or release additives at higher temperatures. Hand wash only; avoid dishwasher heat cycles and abrasive scrubbing that could degrade surface integrity. Replace the mats if they show visible cracking, discoloration, or a chemical smell, which may indicate polymer breakdown.
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.”
Unspecified polymer composition
Farberware does not disclose whether cutting mats are virgin or recycled polyethylene/polypropylene, raising uncertainty about contamination from recycled feedstock or proprietary additives not listed publicly.
Plasticizer or antimicrobial leaching
Budget-segment polymers sometimes contain phthalates, BPA, or antimicrobial agents (e.g., silver, triclosan) to reduce cost or extend shelf life. No testing or certification from Farberware rules this out.
Off-gassing or odor
No recalls or complaints on record for Farberware cutting mats or sheaths; however, low-cost polymer products can occasionally emit volatile organic compounds during initial unpacking or storage in warm conditions.
Coating or sealing chemicals
These are not non-stick coated products, so Teflon-type coating and PFOA risks do not apply. Uncoated polymer mats present no known coating-related hazards as long as they are not treated with undisclosed antimicrobial or water-repellent finishes.
Material durability and microplastic shedding
Cutting mats in the budget segment are prone to surface cracking and wear over 1 to 2 years of regular use. While microplastic shedding from a cutting mat into food is unlikely to be significant, degraded surfaces may harbor bacteria or shed micro-fragments if heavily scored by knives.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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.
Safer alternatives in Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards
Trudeau
Glass Drying Mat
Glass
Glass drying mat has minimal PFAS risk; bare glass material is inherently safe.
⚠Risky category by default
KitchenAid
Classic Nonslip 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
plastic composite, no nonstick coating
Lower concern. Bare plastic cutting boards rarely treated with PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Cuisinart
13" Semi-Transparent Polymer Cutting Board
semi-transparent polymer (likely polyethylene or polypropylene)
Lower concern. Bare polymer cutting board unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
More silicone cutting & prep boards 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.