Green Pan: Safe Or Not?

GreenPan is a brand of non-stick cookware that claims to be a healthier alternative to traditional non-stick pans. The brand advertises its products as completely toxin-free and free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium. However, there are concerns about the safety of GreenPan's Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating, which is made in South Korea and assembled in China.

The company has been accused of greenwashing and faced a class-action lawsuit in 2019 for false advertising. The lawsuit alleged that the Thermolon coating contained several toxins, including silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate. While the lawsuit was dismissed, it raised questions about the safety of GreenPan's products.

Some reviews of GreenPan cookware suggest that the non-stick coating wears off over time, which could be a potential health concern. However, there is limited real-world testing and independent laboratory testing of GreenPan's products, making it difficult to confirm the safety of their non-stick coating.

Overall, while GreenPan may be a more sustainable option compared to traditional non-stick pans, there are still concerns about the accuracy of their marketing claims and the potential presence of toxins in their Thermolon coating. Further testing and transparency from the company are needed to conclusively determine the safety of GreenPan cookware.

Is GreenPan Thermolon coating safe?

The Thermolon coating on GreenPan products is made by a Sol-Gel process, which involves turning sand-derived raw materials into a solution and spraying it onto the pan. The coating is then cured in an oven at a relatively low temperature. The coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, and can withstand temperatures up to 850°F/450°C. The coating has been certified by third-party testing labs as conforming to international regular food contact standards set by the US FDA and EU regulators. However, there have been concerns raised about the safety of the Thermolon coating, with accusations of misrepresentation and greenwashing. A class-action lawsuit was filed against GreenPan in 2019, alleging that the Thermolon coating contained several toxins, including silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate. The lawsuit was dismissed in December 2020, with the claims against GreenPan dismissed "with prejudice", meaning the plaintiff could not refile the case. However, it was also dismissed "without prejudice" for any similar consumers to bring claims against GreenPan. While the available test reports seem to indicate that GreenPan Thermolon coating is safer than Teflon, the lack of transparency regarding the full composition of the coating makes it difficult to call the tests comprehensive.

What is GreenPan Thermolon made of?

GreenPan uses a patented technology called Thermolon™ to create their non-stick coating. According to the company, Thermolon is made by a Sol-Gel process that results in the formation of a coating layer on the surface of the pan. This layer mainly comprises Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass (or sand). There are some additional materials such as pigments that give the colour.

The Thermolon coating is made from raw materials derived from Silicon Dioxide, which is turned into a solution and sprayed onto the pan without the need for glue or PFAS additives. The liquid part of the solution is mainly water. After spraying, the coating is cured in an oven at a relatively low temperature, requiring 60% less heating energy than conventional non-stick pans.

According to GreenPan, Thermolon is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. It can withstand temperatures up to 850°F/450°C and has been certified by third-party testing labs as conforming to international food contact standards set by the US FDA and EU regulators.

Is GreenPan cookware eco-friendly?

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

In 2012, the National Advertising Division criticised GreenPan's ad campaigns, after which the company changed its wording. In 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against GreenPan by a consumer who claimed she was misled by the company's advertising and bought a pan that was promised to be healthier and more environmentally friendly. The lawsuit pointed out several toxins allegedly present in GreenPan's Thermolon™ coating, including silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate. While the lawsuit was dismissed, it brought to light concerns about GreenPan's marketing and the presence of toxins in its products.

GreenPan's claims of being eco-friendly are also questionable. The company states that its production process emits up to 60% less carbon dioxide than its competitors, but it does not provide sufficient evidence or specifics to support this statement. Additionally, GreenPan's assertion that its Thermolon coating is made without PFOA or PFAS is true for all cookware brands sold in the US, not just GreenPan.

While GreenPan's products may be free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium, there are concerns about other potential toxins in the coating. The company stopped releasing test reports in 2020, making it difficult to verify the safety of their products.

Overall, while GreenPan's cookware may have some eco-friendly features, such as reduced carbon dioxide emissions during production, there are valid concerns about the accuracy of their marketing claims and the presence of toxins in their non-stick coating.

Is GreenPan cookware healthy?

GreenPan is a brand of non-stick cookware that uses a patented Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating. The coating is made in South Korea, while the cookware is assembled in China in a factory owned by GreenPan. The brand is widely available and sold both online and at brick-and-mortar retailers. It is also budget-friendly, with an average price of $20-30 per unit.

GreenPan's Claims

The packaging of GreenPan products advertises its patented non-stick coating to be completely toxin-free. The company refers to Thermolon as "healthy ceramic non-stick" containing "No PFOA, PFAS, lead or cadmium".

Concerns About GreenPan's Claims

However, upon further investigation, it appears that GreenPan may be guilty of greenwashing. Firstly, when asked about the substances and processes used in their Thermolon coating, GreenPan responded that it is made using a "Sol-Gel process", resulting in a coating layer that comprises mainly Silicon Dioxide (SiO2). However, "Sol-Gel" is a highly industrial process that may involve the use of metal and solvents. This raises concerns that the Thermolon coating may contain heavy metals or toxic residues that could potentially get into food if the coating is chipped or scratched.

Secondly, GreenPan has been the target of a class-action lawsuit for false advertising. The lawsuit contends that the Thermolon coating is not 100% toxin-free and contains dangerous substances such as silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate.

GreenPan's Response to Concerns

In response to the lawsuit, GreenPan stated that their coating is made from a formulation of sand and water and is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. They also emphasized that their coating can withstand temperatures up to 850°F without releasing toxic fumes or blistering/peeling.

Reviews of GreenPan Cookware

Reviews of GreenPan cookware are mixed. Some users report that the non-stick coating wears off over time, causing food to stick and burn. Others claim that their pans have lasted for years with proper care and usage. It is recommended to use low to medium heat with GreenPan cookware, as high heat can scorch food and damage the non-stick coating.

While GreenPan cookware may be a healthier alternative to traditional Teflon products, there are concerns about the accuracy of their advertising claims and the long-term durability of their non-stick coating. More independent testing and transparency from the company are needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of their products. In the meantime, consumers should weigh the benefits and risks before purchasing GreenPan cookware.

Is GreenPan cookware durable?

The durability of GreenPan cookware depends on how well you take care of it. To prolong the life of your ceramic non-stick cookware, it is recommended to follow the below instructions:

• Put it in the dishwasher.
• Hand wash with a soft sponge and warm water if the pan is still hot, and cold water if the pan has cooled.
• Use only wood or silicone utensils.
• Cook on low to medium heat.
• Use an electric hand mixer to mash potatoes.
• Consider using water instead of oil with a glass lid on for steam.
• Cook starchy food (potatoes, lentils, grains).
• Remove all oils before washing with a dry paper towel. Use a clean paper towel with dish soap and wipe it again before adding water. Rinse.
• Leave oils or anything burnt in the pan.
• In case of stuck burnt food, fill the pan with hot water and let it sit for several minutes.
• Let the pan cool down completely before washing.
• Scratch during washing, drying, and storing.
• When buying a pan, ensure it is chip-free as even a small chip can become big over time.
• Use oil sprays and unrefined oils, like extra virgin olive oil.
• Use butter, peanut oil, coconut oil, avocado oil or sunflower oil.

GreenPan's website also has a section on how to care for their cookware. It says:

> To maximize performance use low to medium heat, silicone & wood utensils, and oil or butter. To clean, use a soft sponge with warm, soapy water. Let it cool before washing and store safely.

Reviews of GreenPan products are mixed. Some users have complained about the non-stick coating wearing off, while others have praised the durability of the products. One user review says:

> I’ve purchased GreenPans twice now (for a total of 4 pans) and have been disappointed both times. They work extremely well (non-stick) to begin with, but after heavy use, they have stopped being non-stick for me. I want to love them, I do! But sadly these haven’t worked out for me in the long term (~ 1-2 years).

Another user review says:

> I have had my GreenPans that I bought from West Elm for years. They barely have any scratches at all. I even had a friend burn up one of the frying pans by frying at too high of a temperature – used baking soda to clean it and it looks like new again. I am shocked how durable and resilient these pans are.

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