OXO · Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
OXO Good Grips 12-in. Tongs with Silicone Heads
Minimal PFAS risk from silicone and stainless steel materials.
OXO builds these with food-grade silicone and stainless steel, materials that naturally avoid PFAS. No protective coating or water treatment applied.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Stainless steel handle, silicone heads
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.
Silicone degradation with age and heat
Food-grade silicone is stable at normal cooking temperatures but softens or hardens over years of repeated washing and heat exposure. No leaching of harmful substances is documented, but mechanical failure (cracking, separation) can occur after 3-5 years of heavy use, making replacement necessary for safety and hygiene.
Bacterial or mold growth in handle seams
The junction where silicone heads attach to the metal handle can trap moisture and food particles if not fully dried after washing. Regular cleaning and air drying (especially between silicone and metal) minimizes this risk; dishwashers may accelerate seal degradation.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Stainless steel handle corrosion or nickel release
High-quality stainless steel (typically 300-series alloys used in OXO products) is highly corrosion-resistant and does not appreciably leach nickel or chromium under normal kitchen use. No reports of corrosion or metal transfer exist for this product line.
Lead
Stainless steel and food-grade silicone do not require lead or cadmium-based pigments or stabilizers. OXO products sold in North America must comply with CPSC lead limits; no violations or recalls have been documented for this tong model.
Source, ATSDR ↗Volatile organic compounds (VOC) off-gassing
Stainless steel and cured food-grade silicone do not off-gas volatile compounds at room temperature or during normal cooking use. No odor or VOC issues have been reported for this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
These tongs combine a stainless steel handle (corrosion-resistant, inert) with silicone heads. Food-grade silicone is a synthetic rubber polymer that does not leach harmful chemicals under normal cooking temperatures (typically safe to 400-450°F). Stainless steel does not corrode or transfer metals into food under standard use. Both materials are chemically stable and non-reactive with most foods.
The brand's record and disclosure
OXO has not published formal PFAS statements but the company operates under US FDA and CPSC oversight with no public recalls or safety alerts specific to this product line. OXO markets this product as food-safe and does not use nonstick coatings (Teflon-type coating) on silicone-headed tools, which eliminates the main thermal decomposition risk. No major disclosed controversies exist for OXO kitchen utensils in this material class.
How it compares in its category
Silicone-headed tongs are among the safest options versus nonstick-coated metal or wooden alternatives. Metal tongs with silicone grips avoid Teflon-type coating fume risk entirely and eliminate concerns about wooden handle splintering or bacterial harboring. This design is considered a best practice by consumer safety guides for heat-resistant, durable tongs.
If you buy it
Hand wash rather than dishwasher to extend silicone durability and prevent premature softening. Do not expose to direct flame or temperatures above 450°F (silicone will gradually lose elasticity). Check the silicone heads periodically for tears, hardening, or discoloration; replace if silicone becomes brittle or separates from the handle. Store away from direct heat and UV light to slow silicone aging.
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
- OXO 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.