Dough Box · Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
Mainstays Reusable Silicone Baking Mat
Lower concern. Silicone baking mats rarely contain PFAS.
Silicone doesn't require water or grease resistance treatments that contain PFAS. No evidence suggests PFAS risk from this material, though the brand says nothing.
The safe swap
GreenPan
GreenPan Silicone Wide Tongs
80/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
silicone
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Silicone leaching (oligomers)
Food-grade silicone can release trace cyclic oligomers at high heat or with acidic/fatty foods, though documented harm from baking mat use is not established. Risk increases above 450°F.
Surface degradation and fragmentation
Budget silicone mats may tear or shed particles with repeated use, especially if scratched. Ensure mats are intact before each use; discard if torn.
Bacterial colonization (if damaged)
Tears and crevices in worn mats can harbor bacteria if not cleaned thoroughly, since silicone is porous only when compromised. Maintain surface integrity.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Non-stick coating contaminants (none in silicone mats)
Unlike Teflon-type coating or ceramic non-stick cookware, silicone mats do not use applied coatings; the silicone itself is the functional material, eliminating coating-degradation hazards.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This product is food-grade silicone, a synthetic polymer that does not leach chemicals at typical baking temperatures (up to 480°F). Silicone is chemically stable and nonporous, unlike ceramic or non-stick coated cookware that can degrade or release compounds over time. The mat's inert nature means it will not transfer flavors or absorb oils, and it resists bacterial growth because nothing embeds in the surface.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dough Box (Mainstays parent brand, Walmart's store label) does not publish detailed material safety certifications or PFAS disclosure statements. No recalls or documented safety complaints specific to this silicone baking mat have been recorded in public databases. The brand does not advertise third-party testing or compliance certifications (FDA, SGS), which is typical for budget cookware lines but limits transparent verification.
How it compares in its category
Silicone mats are safer than older Teflon (Teflon-type coating) non-stick surfaces, which can off-gas fumes if overheated, and safer than ceramic-coated pans that may contain lead in glazes. They are roughly equivalent in safety to parchment paper (though reusable, reducing waste) and superior to unlined aluminum baking sheets if aluminum leaching is a concern. The trade-off is durability and tactile feedback versus the established track record of cast iron or stainless steel.
If you buy it
Hand wash with mild soap; do not use abrasive scrubbers or sharp utensils that tear the surface. Keep below 500°F to avoid material degradation (most silicone mats are rated to 480°F). Replace if you notice tears, permanent discoloration, or stickiness loss, as small silicone fragments could shed into food. Store flat or rolled loosely to prevent creasing and extend lifespan.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Dough Box has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
GreenPan
Platinum Silicone Tongs
silicone, stainless steel handle
Silicone degradation and leaching
Limited concern
Color dyes or pigments in silicone
Limited concern
Bacterial growth in grip seams or joints
Limited concern
Silicone tongs lower PFAS concern, but verify specific batch claims independently.
⚠Risky category by default
GreenPan
Williams Sonoma Greenpan Premiere Collection Wide Tongs
stainless steel with silicone handle
Silicone handle degradation
Limited concern
Stainless steel tongs with PFAS-free claim; lower concern for non-coated utensil.
⚠Risky category by default
T-fal
Tefal Ingenio K2060714 Steel Food Tongs
stainless steel, bare uncoated
Nickel leaching from stainless steel
Limited concern
Sharp edges or burrs from manufacturing
Limited concern
Bare stainless steel tongs carry no coating-related PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More parchment paper & baking liners grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.