Rubbermaid · Non-Stick Kitchen Gadgets & Utensils
RUBBERMAID FG1963000000 13-1/2"L Silicone Hot Food Spatula
Lower PFAS concern. Silicone spatula has no nonstick or waterproof coating.
Silicone is an inherently PFAS-free material with no surface treatment. Rubbermaid makes no PFAS claims, but the bare silicone construction poses minimal forever chemical risk for a kitchen utensil.
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Material
silicone (handle and blade)
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 spatula is constructed from silicone, a synthetic rubber polymer made of silicon and oxygen chains. Silicone is chemically inert at typical cooking temperatures (up to 400-600°F depending on grade) and does not leach into food under normal use. Unlike Teflon-type coating nonstick coatings or epoxy-ceramic enamels, silicone contains no volatile organic compounds that degrade with heat and requires no chemical treatment to achieve its nonstick properties. The handle and blade being the same material eliminates adhesive or metal-coating hazards at joints.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid, owned by Newell, is a mainstream kitchenware manufacturer with no major product safety recalls specific to silicone spatulas in recent years. The brand does not publicly disclose detailed chemical composition or third-party certifications for individual silicone tools. No formal FDA compliance statement is readily available for this specific SKU, though silicone cookware is generally recognized as safe by the FDA provided it meets food-contact standards. Rubbermaid's transparency on manufacturing standards is minimal compared to premium brands.
How it compares in its category
Silicone spatulas are among the safest heat-resistant utensil options, safer than metal (heat conduction risk) and wood (bacterial harboring). They avoid hazards inherent in coated spatulas: Teflon-type coating fume risk from damaged nonstick coatings or lead in older ceramic handles. Rubbermaid's silicone tools are mid-market in price and durability; they degrade and discolor faster than premium silicone brands (OXO, Zyliss) but avoid the cost premium and potential greenwashing of luxury alternatives.
If you buy it
Hand wash only; dishwasher heat and detergents accelerate silicone degradation (discoloration, brittleness). Replace if the blade becomes sticky, torn, or discolored beyond surface staining, as these indicate polymer breakdown. Do not exceed 400°F; silicone loses integrity and may shed micro-particles at temperatures above manufacturer spec (typically 350-400°F for Rubbermaid). Avoid prolonged contact with very hot oil and keep away from open flame; silicone will melt if directly touched by flame or placed on a hot burner.
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 polymer degradation and micro-shedding
Silicone is chemically stable but physically degrades with age, heat cycling, and dishwasher use. Small particles may shed if the spatula is used above 400°F or if the blade becomes torn. No established health threshold for food-contact silicone micro-particles, but occurrence increases with product age.
Thermal tolerance limits
Rubbermaid silicone spatulas are rated for up to 400°F, but contact with surfaces hotter than this or direct flame exposure can cause melting and leaching of unreacted oligomers. Risk is highest if spatula is left on a hot stovetop or used in high-temperature frying without removal.
Lead or cadmium in handle coating or adhesive
Rubbermaid silicone spatulas do not use ceramic, enamel, or glaze coatings where lead or cadmium historically accumulated. The solid silicone construction eliminates the risk of heavy metal contamination from decorative surface treatments.
Bacterial colonization and mold growth
Silicone's porous microstructure (though less so than wood) can harbor bacteria and mold if not dried promptly or cleaned thoroughly. This is a hygiene rather than toxicity hazard, but more likely if the spatula is stored damp or used in prolonged contact with raw meat residues.
Aluminum leaching from substrate
This silicone spatula has no aluminum core or substrate; the blade and handle are homogeneous silicone. Aluminum leaching is not a concern with this product design.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 82% 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 Non-Stick Kitchen Gadgets & Utensils
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silicone, stainless steel handle
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⚠Risky category by default
GreenPan
Williams Sonoma Greenpan Premiere Collection Wide Tongs
stainless steel with silicone handle
Stainless steel tongs with PFAS-free claim; lower concern for non-coated utensil.
⚠Risky category by default
T-fal
Tefal Ingenio K2060714 Steel Food Tongs
stainless steel, bare uncoated
Bare stainless steel tongs, no coating risk for PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
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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.