StarPack · Non-Stick Kitchen Gadgets & Utensils
Silicone Tongs | Get a Grip Cooking Tongs (12")
Lower concern. Silicone tongs are inherently PFAS-resistant.
Silicone is an inherently PFAS-free material without Teflon-family coating coatings or nonstick treatments. StarPack makes no PFAS claims, but the material itself carries lower chemical risk for kitchen use.
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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
These tongs are made from food-grade silicone, a synthetic polymer backbone (siloxane chains) with organic side groups, not fluorine-based. Silicone is chemically inert at typical cooking temperatures (up to 400-450F for most grades) and does not release volatile organic compounds or degrade into microplastics under normal use. The metal core (likely stainless steel) provides structure without reactive surfaces. Unlike plastic or Teflon-type coating-coated metal tongs, silicone does not leach BPA, phthalates, or Teflon-type coating fumes.
The brand's record and disclosure
StarPack is a smaller cookware manufacturer with no published transparency reports, third-party certifications (NSF, FDA compliance statements), or public safety disclosures on file. The brand has no documented recalls or safety controversies specific to silicone tongs. Absence of disclosure does not indicate a hazard, but reflects limited accountability infrastructure compared to larger brands. Silicone tongs are a low-complexity product, reducing the likelihood of hidden formulation risks.
How it compares in its category
Silicone tongs are among the safest tong options available. Metal tongs with rivets can shed particles; wooden handles may harbor bacteria; nylon or plastic tongs risk melting or leaching at high heat; Teflon-type coating-coated tongs pose fume inhalation risk if overheated. Silicone avoids all these pathways. The trade-off is that silicone loses rigidity over time and is less durable for heavy-duty restaurant use, but this is a performance issue, not a safety one.
If you buy it
Hand-wash rather than dishwasher (high heat and detergent can degrade silicone faster). Do not use above 450F; silicone softens noticeably at 500F and may warp. Inspect for tears, discoloration, or stickiness annually; silicone tongs typically last 3-5 years with normal use before replacement is warranted for grip loss. Store away from direct sunlight, which accelerates degradation. No special maintenance is needed beyond basic cleaning.
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 degradation over time
Silicone tongs lose elasticity, grip, and may become sticky after several years or if exposed to high heat, direct sunlight, or aggressive dishwashing. This is a durability issue rather than a toxicity risk; degraded silicone itself is not known to release harmful compounds at normal cooking temperatures.
Metal core corrosion or shedding
The underlying metal support (likely stainless steel) is not documented as corroding in this product line. Stainless steel is passivated and food-safe. Risk only arises if the tongs are damaged or the metal coating degrades, which is uncommon with brief exposure to food.
Heat-induced leaching from silicone
Food-grade silicone is not known to leach organic compounds (BPA, phthalates, or others) even at cooking temperatures up to 400-450F. Concerns only emerge if tongs are misused above 500F, at which point structural failure (softening, warping) precedes chemical leaching.
Bacterial or mold colonization in seams
Any tong with joined components (silicone bonded to metal handle) can trap moisture and food particles in crevices if not dried promptly after washing. This is a hygiene risk, not a material toxicity issue. Proper air-drying and occasional sanitization (hot soapy water or brief boiling) mitigate this risk.
Formaldehyde or flame retardants in silicone
Food-grade silicone used in cookware does not contain formaldehyde resins or added flame retardants. These are hazards in textiles and polyurethane foams, not typical silicone formulations. No recalls or safety data suggest contamination of this product.
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
GreenPan
Platinum Silicone Tongs
silicone, stainless steel handle
Silicone tongs lower PFAS concern, but verify specific batch claims independently
⚠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
More non-stick kitchen gadgets & utensils 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.