Ideal Bite

It's interesting to see that the EPA's Web site contradicts a plethora of news and facts available about Teflon and PFOA across the Web. For instance, this article details a voluntary ban that FDA called for - urging major manufacturers of PFOA to phase it out, due to carcinogenic properties suggested by studies (http://www.webmd.com/news/20060127/epa-urges-teflon-chemical-ban). I trust the EPA about as much as I trust the FDA and most other government agencies, which translates to not much. I do think it's wise to kiss your Teflon pots goodbye and move onto iron or stainless steel, if possible. Buying new cookware can certainly be expensive, but you can do what I did and buy 1 or 2 stainless steel pots at a time until you've completely replaced your old ones. You can find decent non-coated cookware at discount stores like Ross and Marshalls, or try searching eBay or visiting thrift stores. Getting rid of your old Teflon pots is another issue. I would consider donating them or giving them away. That's what I did. A lot of people are aware of the risks and the studies associated with Teflon, but they don't care, so they'd be buying Teflon pots anyway. I would also consider donating the pots to someone needy; in my opinion it's better to give them to someone who can't afford cookware (let alone expensive stainless steel cookware) than to completely waste them by throwing them away.

I agree, cast iron is the way to go. I've never found a 'non-stick' pan to work as well as cast iron when you maintain them. I have a huge collection, some passed down from my grandmother, some picked up at the thrift store. Caring for them is not really an issue, I'm glad to do it.

Couldn't have said it any better, Jess!! You have to have some dead people before the EPA and FDA might dear to step on some corporate toes and, I, for one prefer not to wait until then. There has been known problems with Teflon for more years than I can remember. Even before I knew it, I didn't like that stuff peeling off into my food! It's a lot less costly to replace pots and pans then to deal with the medical costs later!

You are correct to question the EPA & the FDA, and you also need to question the information provided by companies such as Dupont, as well as organizations like the Environmental Working Group. My point earlier was that you need to base your decisions on accurate information. The EPA information in the Tip was misquoted. This makes me question any of the other information presented by Ideal Bite. A few extra minutes checking the EPA site would have prevented this from happening. As Jess stated, there is a lot of information available on the internet. But you need to make sure that you don’t base your information on junk science, scare tactics or rumors. Sometimes this requires searching for the original source (medical journal, university study, etc.). Hearing someone say, “Everyone knows that Teflon is bad” does nothing to convince me that it is harmful.

Jess – Let me get this straight, your Teflon pans are so dangerous that you bought all stainless pans; but you are willing to donate them to someone needy rather than throw them away? It’s nice to see that you value a garbage dump over the health of those uncaring poor people. How noble of you.

Jim, I couldn't have said it better myself! AMEN!!

Forgive me for feeding the troll, but here goes. What I said was "I would also consider donating the pots to someone needy; in my opinion it’s better to give them to someone who can’t afford cookware (let alone expensive stainless steel cookware) than to completely waste them by throwing them away." I don't recommend Teflon pans for anyone because I don't believe that they are safe. That said, there are many people out there who don't care about the alleged effects of Teflon. There are also many people out there who don't have the luxury to care. I've done enough volunteer work for a homeless agency in my community to know that there are many people in need of the basic necessities that we take for granted - household items included. For example, I've worked with people who were previously homeless and moving to subsidized housing. They obviously don't have anything to cook food with. So rather than lecture that person on how they should be spending money they don't have on an iron or stainless steel pot - I'll give them a donated Teflon pot that isn't very safe for them. Cooking on Teflon is better than having no meal at all. These people have a lot more to worry about than Teflon. If you'd like to imagine me sitting back in my easy chair, fingers together, looking like Mr. Burns, and diabolically laughing at the people who receive my old pots, suit yourself. But that's not exactly me.

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