Since 2023, PFAS have been at the centre of public debate. These perfluorinated compounds, nicknamed "forever chemicals", go into the making of most non-stick coatings. Here is what we know, and what it changes for your frying pan.
The essentials in 30 seconds
- PTFE, known as Teflon, belongs to the PFAS family.
- It becomes unstable above 260 °C (500 °F), which an empty pan reaches in two to five minutes on high heat.
- The 2025 French law excludes cookware from its ban.
- "PFOA-free" does not mean PFAS-free: PFOA has been banned since 2020.
- A bare metal cannot shed a coating, because it has none.
What PFAS are
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. There are more than ten thousand of them. What they share is a carbon-fluorine bond, one of the most stable in organic chemistry. That is what makes them useful, non-stick, waterproof, heat resistant, and it is also what makes them persistent: they barely break down in the environment.
PTFE, sold under the trade name Teflon, belongs to this family.
Where the regulation stands
In January 2023, five European countries including Germany and the Netherlands filed a proposal with the European Chemicals Agency to restrict the entire PFAS family.
In France, the law of 27 February 2025 has banned, since 1 January 2026, the manufacture and sale of certain products containing PFAS, notably in cosmetics and textiles. Cookware was excluded from the final text after parliamentary debate.
In other words: non-stick pans remain perfectly legal. The scientific and regulatory debate, however, goes on.
What happens when a non-stick pan heats up
PTFE is stable up to roughly 260 °C (500 °F). Beyond that, it starts to break down and releases volatile compounds. An empty pan over high heat reaches that temperature in two to five minutes.
The second point is mechanical: a deep scratch exposes the base and releases coating particles. That is why manufacturers recommend replacing a non-stick pan as soon as the surface is damaged, generally every two to three years.
Why pure titanium changes the question
A pure titanium pan has no coating. So there is nothing that can flake, scratch through to the base or break down under heat. The metal is the same from the surface to the core.
Titanium is also one of the few metals considered biocompatible: it is the reference material for dental implants and joint replacements, precisely because the body does not react to it.
It contains neither nickel nor chromium, unlike stainless steel, which removes the question of leaching into acidic dishes.
How to recognise a truly PFAS-free pan
| Claim on the box | What it really guarantees |
|---|---|
| "PFOA-free" | Nothing. PFOA has been banned in Europe since 2020. |
| "Ceramic coating" | Not much. Some ceramic binders contain fluorine. |
| "PFAS-free" | Useful, provided the manufacturer states the composition. |
| "Uncoated" | Everything. A bare metal cannot shed a coating. |
Frequently asked questions
Is a titanium pan dangerous?
Pure titanium is inert, non-porous and biocompatible. It releases nothing into food, including at high temperature.
Should you throw away your non-stick pans?
If the coating is intact and you never heat the pan empty, the risk remains low. Replace it as soon as it is scratched or blistered.
Is titanium dishwasher safe?
Yes, without any limit. That is one of the advantages of an uncoated metal.
Are PFAS banned in France?
Partly, since January 2026, for cosmetics, ski wax and some textiles. Cookware is not covered.