Glad · Silicone Baking Molds
Pillow Glaze Cake Dessert Silicone Mold Tray
Silicone molds carry lower PFAS concern; Glad provides no disclosure.
Silicone baking molds are inherently PFAS-free materials unlikely to contain forever chemicals. Glad does not disclose PFAS status, but bare silicone presents lower risk than nonstick coatings.
The safe swap
Mrs. Anderson's
Mrs. Anderson Silicone Round Cake Pan
80/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its B.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
silicone mold (uncoated base polymer)
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
This product is a food-grade silicone mold with an uncoated base polymer, meaning the cake/dessert contacts pure silicone rather than a glaze, enamel, or ceramic layer. Silicone is a thermoset rubber polymer with high thermal stability and minimal leaching of heavy metals or additives into food under normal baking conditions. The main concern with silicone molds is not the base material but any trace oligomers (short-chain fragments) that can migrate into fatty or acidic foods, though these are considered low-toxicity by major regulatory bodies.
The brand's record and disclosure
Glad is a household consumer products brand owned by Clorox Company and has no known history of heavy metals or hazardous coating recalls on silicone bakeware. The brand provides no public disclosure of PFAS content or absence in silicone molds, which is consistent with most mainstream bakeware manufacturers and reflects the category norm rather than evasion. No third-party certifications (NSF, FDA direct approval statements) are publicly associated with this specific mold line. Glad's overall safety record on food-contact items is unremarkable; no established controversies apply to this product type.
How it compares in its category
Silicone molds occupy a middle-safety tier among baking vessels: they pose lower risk than traditional glazed ceramic or enameled cast iron (which carry lead and cadmium hazard), but lack the full regulatory transparency of branded alternatives like OXO or Wilton that publish some test data. They are comparable to generic silicone molds from unbranded suppliers; Glad's brand presence provides no documented quality advantage but offers modest consumer recourse if failure occurs. Glass or stainless steel molds would carry negligible coating hazards but are heavier and less flexible.
If you buy it
Use at temperatures up to the manufacturer's stated limit (typically 400-450°F/200-230°C for food-grade silicone); avoid broiler or direct flame contact. Hand-wash in warm soapy water rather than high-heat dishwashing to extend coating life and minimize thermal stress. Replace the mold if you notice discoloration, cracks, brittleness, or odor changes, as these indicate polymer breakdown and potential increased oligomer migration. Store away from direct sunlight and strong solvents; do not reuse for non-food purposes without cleaning thoroughly.
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 oligomer migration
Food-grade silicone can release short-chain oligomers into fatty or acidic foods during heating. Regulatory agencies (FDA, EFSA) consider typical migration levels safe, but individual sensitivity varies; risk is higher with cheaper, uncertified silicone or thermal abuse.
Lead or cadmium in glazes/enamels
This product is uncoated silicone, not ceramic or enamel, so traditional glaze contaminants do not apply. Risk would only emerge if Glad uses a glazed interior liner, which is not indicated in available product information.
Coating degradation and leaching
Silicone molds degrade over time with repeated thermal cycling; brittleness and discoloration can precede actual rupture. Degraded molds may leach more oligomers and lose food release properties, but do not typically release heavy metals or toxic compounds.
Mold or bacterial growth
Silicone's hydrophobic surface can trap water and food debris in crevices if not dried thoroughly after washing. This creates a microenvironment for mold or bacterial colonies, especially in humid storage conditions; regular inspection and air-drying are essential preventive measures.
Thermal stability and odor release
Cheaper or counterfeit silicone molds may off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or siloxanes when heated, producing a distinctive chemical smell. Glad's brand-name product is likely to meet base food-grade standards, but initial odor after purchase is not uncommon and usually dissipates with use.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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 Baking Molds
Mrs. Anderson's
Mrs. Anderson Silicone Round Cake Pan
Food-grade silicone
Silicone cake pans present lower PFAS concern; no Teflon-family coating nonstick coatings used.
⚠Risky category by default
Mrs. Anderson's
Silicone Baking Mat
silicone baking mat
Lower concern; silicone mats do not typically contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Mrs. Anderson's
Full Size Silicone Baking Mat
100% silicone
Silicone baking mat, lower PFAS concern.
⚠Risky category by default
More silicone 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.