Norpro · Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards
Norpro 48 Flexible Cutting Boards (Set of 2)
Reach out to Norpro for coating and PFAS information.
The coating on these Norpro boards remains unspecified, with no public PFAS information available.
The safe swap
Tovolo
Tovolo Silicone Baking Mat
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
Flexible plastic/rubber cutting board, coating unspecified
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.
BPA & bisphenols
No public records of leaching from Norpro cutting boards, but material type is unspecified. Flexible plastics can release compounds if exposed to heat, acidic foods, or prolonged use; risk is low for unheated food prep but cannot be ruled out without material disclosure.
Source: FDA ↗Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
If the board has a surface coating (unknown), regular knife contact will degrade it over time, potentially releasing microscopic particles. No specific recalls exist, but flexible boards show visible wear faster than rigid alternatives.
Rubber or elastomer degradation products
If the boards contain rubber or elastomer components (common in flexible designs), prolonged storage in warm conditions or exposure to oils can cause breakdown and odor release. This is typically cosmetic rather than toxic but indicates material fatigue.
What’s reassuring
Antimicrobial chemical residues (if added)
Some flexible boards are treated with antimicrobial agents to prevent bacterial growth; Norpro marketing does not claim this, and no testing data is public. If present, safety depends on agent type and migration rates.
Lead
Colored flexible cutting boards sometimes use pigments with trace metals. No recalls or warnings for Norpro boards specifically; FDA approval for food-contact plastics generally screens for this, but independent testing is not public.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Norpro's flexible cutting boards are typically composed of food-grade plastic or rubber blends designed for flexibility and durability. The exact polymer type (likely PVC, polyethylene, or silicone-based) and any surface coatings are not clearly disclosed in public materials. This matters because some flexible plastics can leach chemicals into food when exposed to heat, acidic foods, or wear, and unclear composition prevents full risk assessment.
The brand's record and disclosure
Norpro is a long-established kitchenware brand with no major food-safety recalls on record for this product line. However, the brand has not publicly disclosed material composition details, certifications (such as FDA or NSF approval), or testing for chemical migration. This silence on ingredient transparency is typical of legacy kitchenware brands but limits consumer ability to verify safety claims independently.
How it compares in its category
Flexible cutting boards sit between rigid plastic and wood options. They reduce bacterial harboring better than wood and are cheaper than high-end silicone variants, but offer less assurance of chemical purity than branded silicone-only boards. Many competitors (OXO, Rachael Ray) now offer explicit food-grade silicone or certified non-toxic plastic; Norpro's lack of equivalent marketing suggests either simpler material or lower priority on disclosure.
If you buy it
Keep cutting boards away from direct heat, stovetops, and hot water above 140F to minimize any potential chemical migration. Replace them every 1-2 years or sooner if you notice discoloration, cracking, or odor. Hand wash rather than dishwasher to reduce wear on any surface coating. Consider requesting material and coating specifications directly from Norpro before purchase if chemical sensitivity is a concern.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Norpro has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More silicone cutting & prep boards 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.