Nordicware · Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
Nordic Ware Naturals 3-piece Baking Sheet Set
Lower concern; bare aluminized steel sheets with no nonstick coating.
Nordic Ware Naturals baking sheets are aluminized steel without nonstick coating. No PFAS-related treatments typical for bare metal bakeware.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Aluminized steel, bare uncoated
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Nordic Ware Naturals Baking Sheet Set is made of, ingredients and materials
Nordic Ware Naturals baking sheets are aluminized steel, meaning a thin layer of aluminum bonded to a steel core, with no applied nonstick or enamel coating. This construction avoids Teflon-type coating fume risk and eliminates the most common failure mode in nonstick cookware. Bare aluminum can leach into acidic foods, but the steel core and typical baking use (neutral to slightly acidic batter, not extended soaking) keep this exposure low in practice. The absence of glaze or enamel removes concerns about lead or cadmium in ceramic coatings.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Aluminum leaching into food
Bare aluminum can leach small amounts into acidic foods over time. Risk is low for typical neutral baked goods (cookies, bread), but higher if used repeatedly for acidic batters or long soaks. Total dietary aluminum exposure from occasional baking sheet use is not established as a health concern by regulatory agencies, but some populations (kidney disease, infants) are advised to limit sources.
Surface oxidation and discoloration
Uncoated aluminum oxidizes naturally, especially if exposed to moisture or acidic residue. Darkening or pitting does not inherently release toxins but can accelerate aluminum migration into food. Visual degradation is a practical signal to replace the sheet rather than a direct safety failure.
Steel substrate corrosion or rust
If the aluminized layer is damaged (scratched, pitted) and moisture reaches the steel core, localized rust can develop. This is primarily a functional failure rather than a direct food safety hazard, but flaking rust debris could theoretically contact food. Proper drying and storage minimize this risk.
What’s reassuring
Bare uncoated material
Recorded as a bare, uncoated material with no surface coating or treatment.
Teflon-type coating or nonstick coating off-gassing
Nordic Ware Naturals are bare uncoated sheets with no Teflon-type coating or other nonstick layer, so Teflon-type coating fume risk (associated with overheating) is not applicable to this product.
Lead
These sheets have no enamel, ceramic, or glaze coating, so contamination from these coating-related sources does not apply.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Nordic Ware is a Minnesota-based cookware manufacturer with a long history in aluminum bakeware; no recalls or safety controversies for this product line are on record. The company does not publish detailed material sourcing or heavy metal testing data on its website, which is typical for mass-market cookware but limits transparency. No certifications (NSF, FDA premarket approval, etc.) are claimed for these sheets in public materials. No formal PFAS commitment or testing statement is publicly available from the brand.
How it compares in its category
Bare aluminized steel baking sheets are a mainstream, cost-effective option and avoid the degradation and potential fume risk of nonstick coatings over time. Glass or ceramic baking dishes offer zero leaching risk but are heavier and more fragile. Stainless steel sheets eliminate aluminum exposure entirely but are less common and more expensive. This product occupies a practical middle ground, inexpensive, durable, and free of surface coating hazards, with only minor aluminum leaching concern during normal use.
If you buy it
Hand wash rather than dishwasher to extend longevity of the aluminized bond; abrasive scrubbing or acidic detergents can degrade the surface over time. Avoid prolonged soaking of acidic foods (vinegar-based batters, tomato sauces) directly on the sheet to minimize aluminum leaching. Store in a dry place to prevent oxidation and discoloration. Replace if the aluminized surface becomes visibly pitted, darkened, or flaking, as this may increase leaching; these sheets typically last 5-10 years with standard home use.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Nordicware 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.