Farberware · Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
Silicone Baking Mat Black / 16.5" x 11.87" (Half Sheet)
Silicone mats typically lower PFAS risk; coating specifics unclear.
Farberware silicone baking mats are typically food-grade silicone, which is inherently lower PFAS risk. Surface treatment or coating specifics remain unclear due to lack of brand disclosure.
The safe swap
StarPack
Silicone Spatula Set
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 with unspecified coating or treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Advertised as non-stick but coating type is not explained.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Heavy metals
Black silicone mats may use carbon black or organic pigments; carbon black has been evaluated by IARC but is not classified as a leaching risk in food contact applications. Farberware does not disclose pigment identity or migration testing, so residual risk cannot be ruled out but is not documented.
Source, FDA ↗Silicone polymer degradation at high heat
Repeated exposure above the mat's rated temperature (typically 480-500 F) can cause silicone chains to break down, releasing volatile organic compounds or small siloxane fragments. This is not a manufacturing defect but a consequence of overheating; proper use within limits mitigates this.
Bacterial growth if improperly stored or dried
Silicone mats can trap moisture in surface pores if not thoroughly air-dried before storage, creating conditions for microbial growth. This is a hygiene issue, not a material toxicity issue, and is entirely preventable with proper cleaning and drying.
What’s reassuring
Fiberglass mesh shedding (if reinforcement material is present)
Most commercial food-grade silicone mats include embedded fiberglass mesh for durability. No established recalls or reports of fiberglass shedding into food exist for mainstream brands including Farberware; mesh is typically encapsulated within the silicone and does not migrate under normal use.
Allergens or fragrance additives in silicone formulation
Farberware does not list fragrance, talc, or known allergen additives in its product specifications. Food-grade silicone is formulated to avoid such compounds, though complete material disclosure would strengthen this assessment.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is a food-grade silicone mat, likely reinforced with fiberglass mesh or similar composite for structural stability. Silicone itself is a synthetic polymer chain of silicon and oxygen that does not leach the way plastics (BPA, phthalates) or ceramics (lead, cadmium) do under normal baking temperatures. The 'black' color raises the question of pigment safety, though commercial silicone mats typically use approved colorants; however, Farberware does not publicly disclose pigment source or testing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Farberware (owned by Groupe SEB) has no publicly documented recalls, safety controversies, or third-party certifications specific to this baking mat product. The brand does not proactively disclose material sourcing, pigment specifications, or independent safety testing on its website or product packaging. No adverse event reports appear in FDA or CPSC databases for this exact SKU.
How it compares in its category
Silicone mats occupy a middle ground in baking accessory safety: they avoid the nonstick coating wear and heat-decomposition risks of Teflon-type coating-coated alternatives (like older Teflon pans), and they avoid ceramic glazes that may contain lead or cadmium. Parchment paper and uncoated baking sheets carry minimal chemical risk but require replacement and do not offer reusability. Glass and stainless steel are heavier alternatives with no chemical leaching risk but poorer nonstick performance.
If you buy it
Use the mat within its rated temperature range (typically up to 480-500 F for food-grade silicone; check packaging). Hand wash or use gentle cycles rather than high-heat dishwasher to avoid degradation of the silicone matrix and color stability. Do not cut, puncture, or overstress the mat, as micro-tears can accelerate material breakdown. Replace if the surface becomes sticky, flakes, discolors significantly, or develops permanent odor (signs of polymer breakdown or contamination).
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Farberware has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.