Norpro · Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards
Norpro Silicone Pastry Mat with Measures
Lower concern. Silicone pastry mats rarely use PFAS.
This Norpro silicone pastry mat is made from food-grade silicone, which is inherently PFAS-free. While the brand makes no PFAS statement, silicone baking products normally carry lower risk than nonstick coatings.
The safe swap
Tovolo
Tovolo TrueBake 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
Food-grade silicone
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.
Silicone degradation and particle shedding
Long-term use, especially above 450°F or with abrasive cleaning, can cause the silicone matrix to break down microscopically. No recall history exists for Norpro mats, but degraded silicone may shed small particles into food. Replace if surface becomes visibly torn, cloudy, or sticky.
Mold or bacterial growth if poorly dried
Silicone is porous at the microscopic level. If the mat is not thoroughly air-dried after washing or is stored in a damp environment, bacteria or mold can colonize crevices. This is a maintenance issue, not a manufacturing flaw.
Thermal stress and warping
Repeated exposure to sharp temperature swings (e.g., removing from a hot oven and immediately soaking in cool water) can cause silicone to warp or crack. This compromises the flat surface and may create crevices where bacteria grow.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Ink or colorant leaching from surface markings
If measurement lines are printed with water-based or silicone-compatible inks, they should not leach under normal baking conditions. No documented incidents exist for Norpro products, but inks on budget silicone mats occasionally fade or transfer to dough if rubbed aggressively or exposed to solvents.
Lead
Food-grade silicone is not typically glazed or enameled, so this hazard is not relevant. Colorants added to silicone are regulated under FDA Food Contact Substances, and no recalls or warnings exist for Norpro silicone mats on this basis.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Norpro Silicone Pastry Mat is manufactured from food-grade silicone, a synthetic rubber polymer cured with platinum or peroxide catalysts. Silicone itself is chemically inert at typical baking temperatures (up to 400-500°F), meaning it does not leach into food or off-gas harmful compounds during normal use. The mat's embedded measurement markings are printed or molded into the silicone; if printed, they use silicone-compatible inks that cure into the surface.
The brand's record and disclosure
Norpro is a cookware accessories manufacturer with no known safety recalls or documented compliance controversies on their silicone products. The company does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or certification status, which is typical for silicone mat producers in this price range. No third-party certifications (FDA premarket review, NSF, or similar) are prominently advertised, but the product meets FDA Food Contact Substances regulations as a silicone cookware item.
How it compares in its category
Silicone pastry mats are a safer alternative to non-stick coated parchment paper or reusable cloth mats. Unlike silicone-coated fiberglass sheets, silicone mats do not rely on Teflon-type coating (Teflon) or other problematic coatings. They last longer than parchment and avoid the environmental footprint of single-use products, though durability depends on proper care and avoidance of sharp utensils.
If you buy it
Hand wash only (dishwasher heat can degrade silicone over time and reduce non-stick properties). Do not cut or score the mat with knives; use a wooden or plastic bench scraper. Check for visible cracks or clouding every 12-18 months; silicone can become brittle with age and frequent high-heat exposure. Store flat or loosely rolled in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
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
- Norpro has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards
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Microparticle shedding from grip surface
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Mold or bacterial growth in surface texture
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⚠Risky category by default
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⚠Risky category by default
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Lid or handle coating hazards
Limited concern
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⚠Risky category by default
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.