Everyone knows the name Teflon, the patented nonstick coating chemical discovered by DuPont in 1938 — which is convenient because the full name for the type of synthetic polymer that includes Teflon, "per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances" (PFAS), is quite the tongue-twister. Although such cookware is beloved by cooks for making cleaning easier, Teflon and other so-called "forever chemicals" in non-stick pans have been turning up in human bodies, and are linked to ailments ranging from high blood pressure and low sperm count to liver disease. It stands to reason that consumers would like PFAS such as Teflon to stay on their cookware and off their food, even though anyone who has prepared a meal knows that does not always happen.
"We must be careful about selecting and using cooking utensils to avoid food contamination."
