T-Fal Stone Force Platinum Nonstick Fry Pan 12 Inch
Teflon-type coating non-stick coating, disclosed by the brand.
T-fal lists this range among its products containing intentionally added PFAS and says its nonstick contains Teflon-type coating, a Teflon-family coating in the PFAS family.
The better-graded swap
Heritage Steel
Heritage Steel Eater 12" Fry Pan with Lid
100/100 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
Teflon-type coating non-stick coating, as disclosed by T-fal for this range
Lab data
No public lab test
Is T-Fal Stone Force Platinum Nonstick Fry non-toxic? What it is made of
This pan uses Teflon-type coating (polytetrafluoroethylene), the chemistry behind most commercial nonstick cookware, bonded to an aluminum core. Teflon-type coating itself is inert below ~200°C, but when overheated, it can decompose and release perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) and other volatile breakdown products into air and food. The aluminum substrate beneath the coating can leach into food if the Teflon-type coating layer degrades, scratches, or chips. T-fal discloses the Teflon-type coating but provides no public statement on PFAS sourcing, reformulation, or phaseout plans.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No PFAS-free statement from the brand for this product.
PTFE / Teflon confirmed
The brand discloses a Teflon-type coating.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Teflon-type coating thermal decomposition and perfluorinated compound release
Teflon-type coating nonstick coatings are prone to fume release if heated above 160-200°C. This pan carries no temperature-warning label specific to Teflon-type coating fume hazard, increasing misuse risk. Inhalation of decomposition byproducts has been linked to polymer fume fever in acute exposures.
Aluminum substrate leaching
Aluminum core will contact food if the Teflon-type coating chips or degrades. Leaching of aluminum into acidic or salty foods is documented but typically at levels below established dietary limits, though cumulative exposure remains a concern for frequent cookware users.
Coating degradation and microflaking
Teflon-type coating coatings on nonstick cookware are known to flake or peel with normal use over time, especially if exposed to thermal shock, high heat, or abrasive cleaning. Small particles may be ingested; long-term health effects are not fully established.
Volatile organic compound off-gassing from coating binders
Some Teflon-type coating coatings contain proprietary binders and adhesion agents; these may release low levels of VOCs, especially during first use or at elevated temperatures. No published VOC profile for this specific pan model is available.
What’s reassuring
Lead
No test data or recalls for lead or cadmium in T-fal Stone Force finishes are on record. This hazard is not a documented concern for this product line, though heavy metals in cookware coatings remain a periodic regulatory focus.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
T-fal (Groupe SEB subsidiary) has not published a transparency report or commitment to phase out Teflon-type coating or reduce PFAS in cookware. The brand lists Teflon-type coating as the nonstick technology in product specs but does not address manufacturing or end-of-life PFAS shedding. No recalls or regulatory actions specific to PFAS contamination in this model are on record. The brand's silence on the issue reflects a sector-wide pattern, major cookware manufacturers have not voluntarily abandoned Teflon-type coating despite growing consumer and regulatory scrutiny.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream nonstick cookware (Calphalon, Tefal, Farberware, etc.) uses Teflon-type coating or similar Teflon-family coating, so this pan is representative of conventional nonstick, not an outlier. Ceramic nonstick alternatives (marketed as Teflon-type coating-free) eliminate the Teflon-family coating hazard but often perform worse and wear faster. Stainless steel or cast iron require oil and skill but carry no coating breakdown risk. If cost and convenience are priorities, this pan sits in the majority category; if PFAS exposure is a concern, it is a product to avoid or use minimally.
If you buy it
Do not exceed medium heat (below 160°C / 320°F); above this threshold, Teflon-type coating degradation accelerates and fume release becomes probable. Hand wash only (dishwasher and high heat degrade the coating). Inspect the cooking surface monthly for chips, scratches, or peeling; discard if damage is visible. Store with protective sleeves or towels to prevent abrasion. Replace every 3-5 years if used regularly, sooner if the coating shows wear. Ensure good kitchen ventilation, especially during initial seasoning or high-heat use.
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
- T-fal has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Cookware
Made In
Stainless Clad Fry Pan
- Stainless steel clad construction, no nonstick coating
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Clad separation or delamination over time
Made In
10' Stainless Clad Frying Pan
- stainless steel clad construction, no nonstick coating
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Nickel leaching from stainless steel
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Heritage Steel
Eater Fry Pan
- Clad stainless steel, no coating
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Metal ion release during cooking (iron, nickel, chromium)
More cookware 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.