Teflon · Silicone Cutting Mats & Prep Boards
Figmint Nonslip Cutting Mat Set
Teflon-type coating confirmed. Skip if PFAS-sensitive. No brand disclosure.
Teflon brand cutting mats use Teflon-type coating, a Teflon-family coating inherently containing PFAS. Brand offers no PFAS statement or safer alternative. Higher concern for PFAS-conscious consumers.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Teflon-type coating (Teflon) nonslip coating on cutting mat
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
PTFE / Teflon confirmed
Uses Teflon-type coating (Teflon), a Teflon-family coating in the PFAS family.
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 uses Teflon-type coating (polytetrafluoroethylene, branded Teflon) as a nonslip coating bonded to a substrate material (typically silicone, rubber, or composite). Teflon-type coating itself is chemically stable at room temperature and during normal cutting tasks, but the coating can degrade mechanically over years of use, creating microscopic wear particles. Because this is a cutting surface rather than cookware exposed to high heat, the primary risk is not thermal fume release but rather direct contact with food during preparation and ingestion of coating particles as it breaks down.
The brand's record and disclosure
DuPont (which owns the Teflon trademark, though ownership has shifted) has faced decades of litigation and settlement over PFOA contamination in historical Teflon-type coating manufacturing and environmental releases. Current Teflon-type coating products are manufactured under stricter controls and contain reduced PFOA levels compared to legacy products, but the company remains silent on product-specific PFAS content and does not publish third-party test data for consumer goods like this mat. No formal certifications (such as GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or similar) are typically associated with cutting mat products in this category, and none are documented for this brand in this product line.
How it compares in its category
Cutting mats are not traditional cookware, so direct thermal hazard comparison is limited. However, non-slip cutting mats made from Teflon-type coating are among the most chemically stable options for this use (silicone or rubber nonslip alternatives avoid PFAS but may off-gas siloxanes or other volatiles). Uncoated or natural rubber mats eliminate synthetic coating risk but sacrifice nonslip performance. This product sits in the middle of the risk spectrum: lower hazard than nonstick cookware (which reaches high temperatures) but higher than wholly uncoated alternatives.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can accelerate polymer degradation. Inspect the surface monthly for visible wear, flaking, or loss of texture; replace if coating shows significant damage or particles are visibly separating. Wash by hand with mild soap and soft cloths only; abrasive scrubbers and dishwashers accelerate coating breakdown. Do not use for hot foods or near heat sources; keep ambient temperature below 60 degrees Celsius if possible to extend coating life.
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.”
Teflon-type coating microparticle release from mechanical wear
As the Teflon-type coating nonslip layer deteriorates over years of cutting and washing, microscopic particles may shed into food. Ingested Teflon-type coating particles are generally considered inert and pass through the digestive system, but the long-term effects of chronic low-level exposure are not fully characterized in independent literature.
Substrate material leaching (unknown composition)
The underlying cutting mat material is not specified in available product information. If a rubber or silicone substrate is used, it may off-gas or leach oligomers (short-chain polymers) into food or aqueous solutions over time, especially if exposed to heat or acidic/oily foods.
Lead or cadmium in substrate dyes or pigments
Cutting mats are not typically glazed ceramics or enameled metals, so ceramic-specific lead/cadmium risks are not applicable. However, if the mat is colored (e.g., patterned), pigments used in the substrate or top coating could theoretically contain heavy metals; no public recalls or test data for this brand/product are on record.
Adhesive or bonding layer breakdown between Teflon-type coating and substrate
Teflon-type coating does not bond well to most substrates and requires adhesive primers or mechanical anchoring. Over time, repeated wetting, drying, and flexing can delaminate the coating, exposing the adhesive layer and substrate to food contact. Epoxy or phenolic adhesives may leach if exposed.
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 Mats & Prep Boards
Silikomart
Silicone Grip Mat
silicone rubber grip mat, non-coated
Lower concern. Silicone grip mats rarely contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Pyrex
Rockler Silicone Project Mat
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.