Norpro · Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards
Norpro Icon Cut N Slice Flexible Cutting Boards (Set of 3)
Wait for Norpro to disclose coating and material details.
Norpro hasn't revealed what coats or treats these cutting boards, leaving PFAS risks unknown.
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 (likely polyethylene or polypropylene), 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.
Microplastics
Flexible plastic cutting boards shed microparticles when scratched, scored, or exposed to heat. Direct quantification for this product is unavailable, but standard polyethylene and polypropylene are known to fragment under mechanical stress during food prep and cutting.
Source: EPA ↗Antimicrobial coatings (unspecified)
Norpro does not disclose whether these boards carry antimicrobial additives (e.g., silver ions, triclosan, or quaternary ammonium compounds). If present and not disclosed, such coatings may leach, especially in acidic or fatty foods; testing data is absent.
Heat-induced degradation and off-gassing
Polyethylene and polypropylene soften and may emit odors or volatile compounds if heated above 140-160 deg F. Flexible boards are not heat-rated by Norpro; accidental contact with hot cookware or liquids could trigger material breakdown.
Mold and bacterial colonization (maintenance-related)
Flexible plastic boards retain water in grooves and scratches, creating niches for mold and pathogenic bacteria if not thoroughly dried. This is a use and care issue, not an inherent material hazard, but poor drying practices compound microplastic shedding.
What’s reassuring
Leaching of base polymers or additives
Food-grade PE and PP are recognized as low-leaching at room temperature by the FDA. No reports of chemical leaching from Norpro flexible boards exist in public safety databases, but absence of material transparency prevents confirmation that this product meets baseline standards.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Norpro's flexible cutting boards are molded from thermoplastic, most likely polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), both food-contact approved plastics with low inherent leaching risk at room temperature. The product listing does not disclose resin type, additives, or whether any antimicrobial or non-slip coatings are applied. Flexible plastic cutting boards are designed to avoid the leaching risks of ceramic or glazed cookware, but degradation from heat, mechanical wear, or acidic foods can introduce microplastics into food over time.
The brand's record and disclosure
Norpro is a mid-market kitchenware brand with no public certifications for food safety (e.g., NSF, FDA verification) or PFAS avoidance posted on their website or product pages. The brand does not provide material specifications, manufacturing origin, or third-party testing results for this product line. No recalls or safety controversies specific to Norpro cutting boards are on record, but the silence on material composition and PFAS status is a red flag for a food-contact item.
How it compares in its category
Flexible plastic cutting boards occupy a middle ground: safer than lead-glazed ceramic but less durable and microplastic-prone than wood or glass. Competitors like OXO and Epicurean offer more transparent material disclosure and, in Epicurean's case, third-party certifications. Norpro's lack of transparency makes direct safety comparison difficult; many other brands now highlight BPA-free status and resin type as baseline.
If you buy it
Keep boards away from heat sources and stovetop contact; use them for prep only, not serving hot food. Replace every 2-3 years or immediately if visible gouges, discoloration, or odors develop, as these indicate material breakdown and microplastic risk. Wash by hand with mild soap; avoid dishwasher heat and abrasive scrubbers that accelerate wear. Store flat or hanging to prevent warping and mold growth in damp kitchen environments.
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.