Rubbermaid · Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards
Rubbermaid Stove N' Counter Drainboard Cutting Mat 16" x 20" 1962 Alum
Unspecified coating makes PFAS risk unclear. Skip if concerned.
This drainboard is aluminum with an unidentified rubber or elastomer coating. Rubbermaid does not disclose PFAS use; coating type unknown.
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
Aluminum with unspecified rubber/elastomer coating
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 combines aluminum substrate with an unspecified rubber or elastomer top coating. Aluminum itself is generally stable for food contact, but its reactivity with acidic foods (citrus, vinegar, tomato) can cause leaching of aluminum ions into food, particularly when the protective coating degrades or peels. The elastomer coating is the critical unknown: its composition (natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or proprietary blend) determines resistance to heat, oils, and wear, as well as potential leachable compounds like plasticizers or residual monomers.
The brand's record and disclosure
Rubbermaid, owned by Newell Brands, has not published specific material safety data sheets or PFAS/phthalate disclosures for this drainboard model in publicly available sources. The brand does not appear on major transparency reports (GreenScreen, Cradle to Cradle) for this product category. No established safety recalls or litigation tied to this specific product line are on record, suggesting baseline compliance with FDA food-contact regulations, but the absence of disclosure does not confirm absence of risk.
How it compares in its category
Aluminum drainboards are common and relatively durable compared to thin plastic alternatives, but require more caution than glass, bamboo, or food-grade silicone mats. Many competitors in this category (OXO, Progressive, Victorinox) provide material specifications or use certified food-grade coatings; Rubbermaid's silence on coating composition is a comparative weakness. The 1962 model designation suggests this is a long-running design, which indicates longevity but also raises questions about whether coating formulations have been modernized to reduce legacy chemicals.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods (citrus juice, vinegar, tomato paste) and do not use on hot stovetop surfaces directly. Hand wash only; dishwasher heat and alkaline detergents accelerate coating breakdown. Inspect the surface regularly for cracks, peeling, or discoloration; discard if coating integrity is visibly compromised to prevent aluminum micro-particles and coating fragments in food. Store in a dry location away from direct sunlight, as UV and moisture degrade elastomers over time.
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.”
Aluminum leaching (acidic/reactive food exposure)
Uncoated aluminum or worn coating can release aluminum ions when exposed to acidic foods; risk increases if coating degrades over time. FDA sets no formal limit for aluminum in food, but prolonged elevated intake is flagged in some toxicology literature as a minor concern for neurological health in vulnerable populations.
Coating degradation and material shedding
Elastomer coatings on metal drainboards typically degrade within 2-5 years of regular use due to thermal cycling, dishwasher exposure, and mechanical wear. Peeling or spalling coating can introduce rubber particles and potentially underlying aluminum oxide into food contact surfaces.
Phthalates or plasticizers in elastomer (if synthetic rubber)
If the coating is conventional synthetic rubber (not natural rubber or food-grade silicone), it may contain phthalate plasticizers to improve flexibility. Rubbermaid has not disclosed the elastomer type or additives. Phthalate migration is highest during contact with fatty or hot foods and increases as coating ages.
Lead or cadmium in coating pigments or adhesives
No recalls or testing reports have documented heavy metals in Rubbermaid drainboard coatings. FDA food-contact regulations prohibit lead and cadmium above trace levels, and modern formulations typically comply. This remains a theoretical risk only in older or non-compliant products.
Bacterial or mold growth in degraded coating crevices
Once coating peels or cracks, moisture and food debris can accumulate in gaps between coating and aluminum substrate, creating anaerobic pockets that harbor bacterial or fungal growth. Hand washing alone may not reach these areas, increasing hygiene risk.
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.