Norpro · Silicone Cutting Mats & Prep Boards
Norpro Icon Cut N Slice Flexible Cutting Boards (Set of 3)
Skip until material and coating details are disclosed by brand.
Norpro does not disclose coating or PFAS information for these flexible cutting boards. Material composition and surface treatment remain unknown, raising uncertainty about potential PFAS use.
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Material
Flexible plastic (likely polyethylene or polypropylene), coating 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
Norpro's flexible cutting boards are molded from thermoplastic, most likely polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), both food-contact approved plastics with low inherent leaching risk at room temperature. The product listing does not disclose resin type, additives, or whether any antimicrobial or non-slip coatings are applied. Flexible plastic cutting boards are designed to avoid the leaching risks of ceramic or glazed cookware, but degradation from heat, mechanical wear, or acidic foods can introduce microplastics into food over time.
The brand's record and disclosure
Norpro is a mid-market kitchenware brand with no public certifications for food safety (e.g., NSF, FDA verification) or PFAS avoidance posted on their website or product pages. The brand does not provide material specifications, manufacturing origin, or third-party testing results for this product line. No recalls or safety controversies specific to Norpro cutting boards are on record, but the silence on material composition and PFAS status is a red flag for a food-contact item.
How it compares in its category
Flexible plastic cutting boards occupy a middle ground: safer than lead-glazed ceramic but less durable and microplastic-prone than wood or glass. Competitors like OXO and Epicurean offer more transparent material disclosure and, in Epicurean's case, third-party certifications. Norpro's lack of transparency makes direct safety comparison difficult; many other brands now highlight BPA-free status and resin type as baseline.
If you buy it
Keep boards away from heat sources and stovetop contact; use them for prep only, not serving hot food. Replace every 2-3 years or immediately if visible gouges, discoloration, or odors develop, as these indicate material breakdown and microplastic risk. Wash by hand with mild soap; avoid dishwasher heat and abrasive scrubbers that accelerate wear. Store flat or hanging to prevent warping and mold growth in damp kitchen environments.
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.”
Microplastics from degradation
Flexible plastic cutting boards shed microparticles when scratched, scored, or exposed to heat. Direct quantification for this product is unavailable, but standard polyethylene and polypropylene are known to fragment under mechanical stress during food prep and cutting.
Antimicrobial coatings (unspecified)
Norpro does not disclose whether these boards carry antimicrobial additives (e.g., silver ions, triclosan, or quaternary ammonium compounds). If present and not disclosed, such coatings may leach, especially in acidic or fatty foods; testing data is absent.
Leaching of base polymers or additives
Food-grade PE and PP are recognized as low-leaching at room temperature by the FDA. No reports of chemical leaching from Norpro flexible boards exist in public safety databases, but absence of material transparency prevents confirmation that this product meets baseline standards.
Heat-induced degradation and off-gassing
Polyethylene and polypropylene soften and may emit odors or volatile compounds if heated above 140-160 deg F. Flexible boards are not heat-rated by Norpro; accidental contact with hot cookware or liquids could trigger material breakdown.
Mold and bacterial colonization (maintenance-related)
Flexible plastic boards retain water in grooves and scratches, creating niches for mold and pathogenic bacteria if not thoroughly dried. This is a use and care issue, not an inherent material hazard, but poor drying practices compound microplastic shedding.
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 Mats & Prep Boards
Silikomart
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⚠Risky category by default
Pyrex
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silicone
Silicone project mat carries lower PFAS concern.
⚠Risky category by default
Pyrex
1, Size: 29cm/11.42 x 26cm/10.24 (Approx.)40cm/15.75 x 30cm/11.81 (Approx.)50cm/19.69 x 40cm/15.75 (Approx.)60cm/23.62 x
borosilicate glass
Lower concern. Pyrex glass cookware is borosilicate, inherently PFAS-free.
⚠Risky category by default
More silicone cutting mats & 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.