Rubbermaid · Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards
1 pc Cutting Board Silicone Cutting Square Cutting Board Cutter Plate Hanging
Lower concern. Silicone unlikely to contain PFAS, but verify product origin.
Silicone cutting boards are inherently lower PFAS risk compared to coated cookware. Rubbermaid does not disclose PFAS status, but silicone is not a known PFAS-prone material.
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
Silicone
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.
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 food-grade silicone, a synthetic polymer that does not leach BPA, phthalates, or heavy metals under normal kitchen use. Silicone is chemically inert at typical cutting and food storage temperatures (up to 400-450°F for most formulations). Unlike plastic cutting boards, it does not degrade into microplastics with repeated knife contact, and unlike wood or bamboo, it does not harbor bacteria in grain or seams. The hanging feature indicates a durable elastomer designed for repeated washing and mechanical stress.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid is owned by Newell Brands and has no established history of safety recalls or chemical disclosure issues with silicone kitchen products in public records. The brand does not prominently disclose silicone sourcing or third-party certifications (e.g., FDA or NSF approval) on typical retail listings, though food-contact silicone sold in the US must meet FDA CFR 177.2600 standards. No formal controversy or litigation regarding this product category from the brand is on record.
How it compares in its category
Silicone cutting boards occupy a middle ground between rigid plastic (prone to knife scarring and microplastic shedding) and traditional wood (which can harbor pathogens). They are safer than ceramic-coated or enameled cutting boards, which can chip and expose underlying materials. Silicone is more durable than thin plastic boards and less labor-intensive than wood, though some users report staining or odor retention over years of use. Price and performance are comparable to branded alternatives like OXO or Tovolo.
If you buy it
Wash in warm soapy water or dishwasher; silicone tolerates high heat in these contexts. Do not expose to open flame or prolonged temperatures above 450°F (e.g., direct stovetop or oven broiler). If the board discolors deeply, retains odors, or develops visible gouges that trap food, replace it after 3-5 years of heavy use. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to slow degradation of the material's elasticity.
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.”
Thermal degradation (heat exposure beyond product limits)
Food-grade silicone is stable up to 400-450°F depending on formulation, but exposure to open flame or extreme heat can cause breakdown. No recalls for this specific Rubbermaid product are documented, but users should verify maximum temperature rating on packaging or brand website.
Microplastic shedding
Silicone cutting boards do not shed microplastics in the same manner as plastic boards because the material does not fragment under knife cuts; it compresses and returns to shape. No published data suggests silicone cutting boards contribute meaningful microplastic contamination to food.
Bacterial growth or biofilm accumulation
Silicone can retain oils, dyes, and bacterial biofilms if not cleaned thoroughly, particularly in seams or around the hanging loop. Regular washing and air-drying mitigate this; dishwasher cleaning is recommended for deeper sanitization.
Odor and stain retention
Food-grade silicone is known to absorb strong odors (e.g., from garlic, turmeric, fish) and can develop permanent discoloration over extended use. This is cosmetic and does not indicate a safety hazard but may reduce product lifespan perception.
Lead, cadmium, or heavy metals in pigments
Food-contact silicone sold in the US must comply with FDA CFR 177.2600, which limits heavy metal leaching. No documented reports of lead or cadmium contamination in Rubbermaid silicone kitchen products exist in public records.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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
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.