Nordic Ware 12 Cup Formed Bundt Pan
Low-Medium risk. Cast aluminum has minimal PFAS risk, though Nordic Ware discloses nothing.
This formed cast aluminum Bundt pan has no nonstick or water-repellent coating, making it lower-concern than coated cookware. Nordic Ware provides no PFAS statement.
The safe swap
Le Creuset
Le Creuset Anniversary Pastry Set
90/100 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
Cast aluminum (formed) bundt pan
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.
Aluminum leaching
Formed cast aluminum can leach small amounts of aluminum when in contact with acidic foods or when surface oxidation is compromised. Typical cake batters are neutral to slightly basic and pose low risk; however, batters with citrus juice, buttermilk, or chocolate (acidic) increase leaching potential. The quantity released under normal home baking is below EPA and FDA concern thresholds for this co
Surface degradation and pitting
Repeated dishwasher cycles, prolonged soaking, and abrasive scrubbing accelerate surface pitting in cast aluminum. As oxidation layer damage widens, bare aluminum exposure increases leaching risk. Handwashing and avoiding acidic storage inside the pan substantially mitigate this risk over the product lifetime.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Lead
Cast aluminum Bundt pans do not contain intentional lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in their composition. No recalls or test findings document contamination of this product or brand in public safety registries. Standard aluminum casting uses regulated scrap aluminum with minimal heavy metal content in North American manufacturing.
Source: ATSDR ↗Non-stick coating toxicity (Teflon-type coating/PFOAs)
Nordic Ware's formed cast aluminum Bundt pan is uncoated and does not use Teflon-type coating, PFA, or similar synthetic polymers. No release of fumes or coated particulates is a credible concern with this product design.
Mold contamination and bacterial growth
Cast aluminum is non-porous and does not harbor bacteria if dried promptly after washing. Proper storage in a dry environment eliminates moisture-related microbial growth risk. This hazard is not applicable to this product category.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Nordic Ware's 12-cup Bundt pan is formed cast aluminum, a manufacturing process that involves pouring molten aluminum into a mold rather than forging or stamping. Cast aluminum cookware is generally chemically stable and does not rely on non-stick coatings, glazes, or enamel linings that can degrade or shed harmful compounds. The concern with aluminum cookware centers on leaching of aluminum ions into acidic foods, though the actual health significance remains debated; the quantity that migrates under typical home baking conditions (neutral to slightly acidic batters) is considered low risk by major food safety authorities.
The brand's record and disclosure
Nordic Ware is a long-established American cookware manufacturer founded in 1946 with no major safety recalls on record for this Bundt pan model. The brand does not publicly disclose detailed material sourcing, coating treatments, or third-party safety certifications (such as GOTS or Oeko-Tex, which are uncommon for cookware anyway). No established controversies regarding heavy metal contamination or manufacturing practices are documented in public safety databases.
How it compares in its category
Formed cast aluminum Bundt pans are the industry standard and carry fewer known hazards than ceramic-coated or non-stick alternatives, which may shed Teflon-type coating or ceramic particles if damaged. Silicone or glass Bundt pans eliminate metal leaching concerns but may have their own thermal stress issues. Cast aluminum offers proven durability and predictable performance, making it a middle-ground choice in terms of material safety.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged contact between raw acidic batters (citrus, vinegar, wine) and unheated pan surfaces, as this maximizes aluminum leaching potential. Hand-wash rather than use a dishwasher to prevent surface pitting that can accelerate leaching. Do not use metal utensils that scratch the interior surface. Replace the pan if deep corrosion, pitting, or warping develops, as these changes can increase metal migration into food.
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
- Nordic Ware has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Bundt Pans
Le Creuset
Anniversary Pastry Set
Enameled cast iron
Enamel coating degradation and iron exposure
Limited concern
Thermal stress and cracking from high or uneven heat
Limited concern
Bacterial retention if enamel is compromised
Limited concern
Low risk. Enameled cast iron does not require Teflon-family coating coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Le Creuset
Fluted Cake Pan
enameled cast iron
Lead
Limited concern
Enamel coating degradation and chipping
High concern
Thermal shock and spalling
Moderate concern
Low risk. Enameled cast iron does not require Teflon-family coating nonstick coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Le Creuset
12-Cup Mini Fluted Cake Pan
Enameled cast iron (enamel coating over cast iron body)
Enamel coating degradation and metal exposure
Limited concern
Thermal shock and enamel cracking
Limited concern
Low risk. Enameled cast iron cookware carries minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More bundt pans 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.