Looking for a non-stick cookware? We know how useful it can be for recipes like sautéing, stir-frying, baking etc. but have you considered how safe it is? The materials and/or coatings used to make a cookware non-stick may impact not just the health of your food, but also the environment. Keep reading to learn about different non-stick coatings used in cookware and how safe they are.
Different kinds of non-stick coatings
The different types of nonstick coatings mostly used in cookware materials are Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in Teflon coatings; Ceramic coatings; Silicon coatings; and Enameled cast iron coatings. Other coatings include Anodized Aluminum coating and seasoned cast iron coating. Let us take a quick look at how they fare as safe cookware materials:
PTFE
It contains a carcinogenic substance PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid). While some researchers say it is carcinogenic to humans and animals, some claim it is safe until you heat it at high temperature. But we are talking about its likelihood of causing life threatening diseases. Would you want to take a risk based on research that is still ongoing?
Ceramic coatings
Ceramic is a substandard quality clay laden with chemicals. Although it may do an excellent job of making your pot non-stick, the toxic chemicals leach and contaminate your food during cooking.
Silicone coatings
Like any plastic polymer, silicones are synthetic and include a mix of chemical additives derived from fossil fuels. Misleading marketing campaigns claim silicon is completely safe for food use. The fact is, there has not been a lot of research done to date on the health effects of silicone. Studies have shown silicone is not inert so it can release toxic chemicals and the leaching increases with fats and oils.
Cast Iron coatings
Cast iron, being a metal, is innately reactive. Moreover, lead and cadmium are also used in these coatings. These are known toxins and their effect on human health is no secret (learn more about these dangers here).
Clearly these coatings are highly likely to contaminate your food and give you serious health problems eventually, if not right away. The manufacturing of cookware with these coatings releases toxic waste into the environment. No wonder toxins are found in plants and animals as they consume these through air, water, and soil.
These factors call for a viable alternative – a non-stick cookware that is safe for food as well as the environment. Let us find out which one is it.
MEC’s naturally non-stick cookware – the safest choice
Miriam’s Earthen Cookware (MEC) is an all-American company that makes pots and pans from lab tested primary clay. Primary clay is the purest form of natural clay and has many healthy features (learn more about these here). MEC makes pots and pans without using additives, chemicals, glazes, or enamels. Then how can they be non-stick?
MEC’s clay pots become naturally non-stick after you use them the first 4-5 times for cooking water-based recipes like soups, stews, beans, lentils etc. The pot becomes fully seasoned, and food no longer sticks to it while cooking – without using any toxic coating.
MEC is 100% non-toxic and is truly eco-friendly. And this makes it the safest non-stick cookware out there. Interested in cooking your next meal in this naturally non-stick green cookware? Head over to MEC’s online store and order a pot today.
Why Choose Healthy Cookware? 