Greenpan: Pfoa-Free Cookware

GreenPan is a cookware brand that claims to be eco-friendly and non-toxic. The company uses a patented Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating that it has advertised as completely toxin-free, healthy, and free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium. However, GreenPan has faced scrutiny for these claims, with accusations of misrepresentation and greenwashing.

In 2012, the National Advertising Division criticised GreenPan for making untrue claims within its advertisements, and more recently, a 2019 class-action lawsuit brought many of the concerns about GreenPan into the courtroom. The lawsuit was brought by a consumer who claimed she was misled by GreenPan's advertising to spend more money on a pan she was promised would be healthier and more environmentally friendly.

The lawsuit alleged that GreenPan's Thermolon™ coating contains several toxins, including silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate. It also claimed that GreenPan overstates the health and environmental advantages of its pans by stating that they are free of PFOA, when in reality, all non-stick cookware produced in the United States has been free of PFOA since 2013.

While GreenPan has denied these allegations, the company stopped releasing any test reports in 2020, leaving consumers with no current test results to show if heavy metals or other toxins are present in the cookware. As a result, GreenPan has been removed from many lists of recommended non-toxic cookware brands.

GreenPan's PFAS-free claims

GreenPan is a cookware brand available for purchase online and through national retailers like Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond. The company established a reputation for selling so-called eco-friendly, non-stick cookware that it claims is better for you than competing products.

The original GreenPan cookware uses a patented Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating that the company has at one time or another advertised as "completely toxin-free," "healthy," and "free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium."

However, the company has come under scrutiny for these claims, with accusations of misrepresentation and greenwashing.

GreenPan claims that its Thermolon™ coating is PFAS-free. PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s in a wide range of industries and products, including non-stick cookware. PFAS have been linked to a range of adverse health effects, including cancer, thyroid disorders, and harm to the immune system.

The company's PFAS-free claims are supported by independent testing conducted by third-party labs, including SGS, Intertek, and TUV. These tests found no detectable levels of PFAS, including PFOA, in the Thermolon™ coating.

GreenPan also emphasizes that its manufacturing process is PFAS-free, which means that no PFAS are used during the production of the coating. This is an important distinction because PFAS can be present in the final product even if they are not intentionally added.

In addition, GreenPan's PFAS-free claims are backed by the company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The company owns its factories and has implemented sustainable practices to reduce its environmental impact.

Despite these claims and efforts, GreenPan has faced criticism and lawsuits alleging that its products contain PFAS and other toxins. In 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the company, claiming that its cookware contained several known toxins, including silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate. The lawsuit also alleged that GreenPan's advertising was misleading and that its products were not as environmentally friendly as claimed.

However, the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, and there has been no conclusive evidence that GreenPan's products contain PFAS or other toxins. The company continues to maintain its PFAS-free claims and stands by the safety and sustainability of its cookware.

GreenPan's durability

To ensure the longevity of GreenPan products, the company provides specific care instructions that include using the pans on low to medium heat, avoiding metal utensils, and hand-washing the pans with soft sponges and warm water. Some users have also found that using specific types of oils, such as extra virgin olive oil, peanut oil, coconut oil, or sunflower oil, can help maintain the non-stick coating. Additionally, users are advised to put the pans away from direct heat sources, such as stoves or ovens, when not in use and to store them with pot protectors to prevent scratches and dents.

It is worth noting that GreenPan offers a variety of collections with different materials and features, which may impact the durability of the products. For example, the Venice Pro collection is made of stainless steel with a Thermolon coating, while the Valencia Pro collection is made of anodized aluminum with a mineral Thermolon coating. The type of material and coating can affect the durability and performance of the pans.

Overall, while some users have reported long-lasting satisfaction with GreenPan products, others have experienced issues with the non-stick coating wearing off over time. Proper care and maintenance are crucial for maximizing the durability of GreenPan products.

GreenPan's safety

GreenPan is a cookware brand that claims to be eco-friendly and non-toxic. Their products are made with a patented Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating that the company advertises as "completely toxin-free," "healthy," and "free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium." However, the company has faced scrutiny and lawsuits for these claims, with accusations of misrepresentation and greenwashing.

GreenPan's Claims

GreenPan states that its Thermolon™ coating is made through a Sol-Gel process, resulting in a coating layer mainly comprising Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass or sand. They claim that all the materials in Thermolon are 100% safe for use in food contact coatings.

Concerns and Criticisms

Despite GreenPan's assertions, there are several concerns and criticisms surrounding the brand:

• Lack of Transparency: GreenPan has not disclosed the full list of ingredients in its Thermolon™ coating, making it difficult to assess the safety of the product comprehensively.
• Potential Toxins: A 2019 class-action lawsuit against GreenPan alleged that their Thermolon™ coating contains several toxins, including silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate. While the lawsuit was dismissed, it raised doubts about the accuracy of GreenPan's marketing claims.
• Misleading Advertising: GreenPan has been criticized for making misleading advertising claims. For example, their statement that their products are free of PFOA is factually untrue, as all non-stick cookware produced in the United States has been PFOA-free since 2013.
• Lack of Independent Testing: GreenPan stopped releasing test reports in 2020, making it challenging to verify the safety and toxicity of their products independently.
• Durability Concerns: Some users have reported that the non-stick coating on GreenPan products starts to wear off over time, with food beginning to stick to the pan's surface. This raises questions about the long-term durability and sustainability of GreenPan's products.

While GreenPan's products may offer some benefits, such as their PFAS-free and PFOA-free claims, the concerns and criticisms outlined above cast doubt on the brand's safety and transparency. Therefore, it is essential for consumers to carefully consider the available information, reviews, and independent tests before making a purchase decision.

GreenPan's transparency

GreenPan is a cookware brand available for purchase online and through national retailers like Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond. The company established a reputation for selling so-called eco-friendly, non-stick cookware that it claims is better for you than competing products.

However, the company has come under scrutiny for these claims, with accusations of misrepresentation and greenwashing.

GreenPan's Claims

The original GreenPan cookware uses a patented Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating that the company has at one time or another advertised as "completely toxin-free," "healthy," and "free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium."

GreenPan advertises that its non-stick pans contain "0% toxins" and are "good for the environment." But, according to a 2019 lawsuit, GreenPan’s Thermolon™ coating contains several toxins, including:

• Silane – a colorless, flammable gas that is toxic to breathe in and known for irritating the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes
• Aluminum oxide – exposure can lead to lung damage
• Tetraethoxysilane– respiratory and skin irritation
• Methyltrimethoxysilane – serious eye, skin, and respiratory irritation
• Potassium titanate – harmful if inhaled; potential carcinogen

Additionally, GreenPan has claimed in the past that its pans are free of PFAS, lead, or cadmium. Unfortunately, the company stopped releasing any test reports in 2020. As such, there are no current test results to show if these heavy metals or others are present in the cookware, nor if there are traces of PFAS in GreenPan products.

GreenPan also claims its products are eco-friendly, primarily due to production practices. The company states that up to 60% less carbon dioxide is emitted during the curing phase of the Thermolon coating than its competitors. However, the company does little to substantiate this statement or share which brands it is specifically competing with. This statement goes against the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guidelines about avoiding broad, unqualified claims about environmental benefits.

GreenPan also states that its Thermolon coating is made in a process that doesn’t require PFOA or PFAS during production. Again, the PFOA claim is true for every cookware brand sold in the U.S. today – regardless of whether the brand claims to be eco-friendly.

GreenPan's Response to Transparency Concerns

In response to concerns about transparency, GreenPan has said:

> We use various test labs such as SGS, Intertek, and TUV. We follow best practice, which is for testing to confirm compliance with food contact regulations be done annually by an independent lab, for example, SGS.

GreenPan's Testing

In 2021, the Ecology Center published the results of their tests of four sample pans by four non-stick cookware companies, including GreenPan. Specifically, they tested GreenPan Dover ceramic nonstick 8” frypan and found no PTFE in it.

GreenPan's Awards

GreenPan has won dozens of awards, including:

• One of Oprah's Favorite Things
• Stanley Tucci™ Stainless Steel
• XL Smoke-Less Grill & Griddle
• Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear Award
• Premiere Multi Grill
• Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear Award
• Premiere Convection Oven

GreenPan's sustainability

GreenPan is committed to sustainable practices and has been since its inception. The company owns its factories, so it doesn't have to wait for the industry to change—it can be the one to implement change.

GreenPan invented PFAS-free non-stick technology, and its products are forever free of forever chemicals. The company's PFAS-free non-stick coating is called Thermolon. Thermolon is made by a Sol-Gel process that results in a coating layer on the surface of the pan. This layer is mainly comprised of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass or sand. There are some additional materials, such as pigments that give the colour.

GreenPan's Thermolon coating is scratch-resistant and oven-safe up to 600°F. The company's pans are also induction-compatible.

GreenPan's factory is based in South Korea, and its products are manufactured in China and Italy.

Frequently asked questions