T-fal · Parchment Paper & Baking Liners
Tefal Ingenio K2060714 Steel Food Tongs
Bare stainless steel tongs carry no coating-related PFAS risk.
These tongs are uncoated stainless steel with no nonstick or water-repellent finish. Bare metal utensils don't provide a pathway for PFAS exposure.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
stainless steel, bare uncoated
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.
Nickel leaching from stainless steel
All stainless steel contains 8-12% nickel as a stabilizer. Migration to food is rare under normal conditions but can occur if steel is scratched or exposed to acidic foods for prolonged contact. For tongs used briefly during cooking, risk is negligible.
Sharp edges or burrs from manufacturing
This is a mechanical hazard rather than a chemical one: poorly finished stainless steel edges can cause cuts to hands or mouth if food is not inspected before eating. Inspect tongs visually before first use and after any impacts; the hinge and tip edges should feel smooth.
What’s reassuring
Uncoated safe material
Bare cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel, or glass with no PFAS coating.
Chromium (hexavalent) in stainless steel
Food-grade stainless steel typically contains only trivalent chromium (stable and non-toxic). No credible reports exist of hexavalent chromium in finished Tefal utensils; EU regulations prohibit this. Not a practical concern for this product.
Handle material degradation
The Ingenio K2060714 features a stainless steel handle with no identified plastic, rubber, or resin components that would off-gas formaldehyde or phthalates. Material composition is chemically inert under normal kitchen conditions.
Coating failure (N/A for this product)
Because these tongs have no applied non-stick or enamel coating, the primary degradation hazard of coated cookware does not apply. The bare metal surface cannot peel, chip, or release Teflon-type coating particles.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Tefal Ingenio K2060714 tongs are constructed from food-grade stainless steel with no applied non-stick or enamel coating. This material choice eliminates the primary chemical-leaching pathways associated with coated cookware, such as Teflon-type coating degradation or ceramic glaze heavy metals. Bare stainless steel remains chemically stable across normal cooking temperatures and does not shed microparticles or volatile compounds during use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tefal (T-fal), owned by Groupe SEB, has not made a public commitment statement on PFAS elimination but has not faced documented recalls or regulatory actions specific to PFAS in cookware utensils. The brand holds CE marking and complies with EU food-contact regulations (Regulation 1935/2004), which set limits on migration of substances from metal utensils. No major safety controversies have been recorded for this specific product line in available sources.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel tongs are among the safest options in the utensil category, as they avoid the chemical volatility of silicone, plastic handles, or coated metals. Most direct competitors (OXO, Cuisipro, Vollrath) use similar bare-steel or stainless-steel construction. The uncoated design trades the non-stick convenience of silicone-tipped or nylon tongs for durability and absence of leaching risk.
If you buy it
Stainless steel tongs are dishwasher-safe and require no special care beyond standard washing. Hand-drying prevents water spotting on the steel surface. They remain safe for all cooking temperatures, including direct contact with high-heat surfaces; there is no heat threshold at which degradation or off-gassing occurs. Replace only if the hinge becomes loose or the grip fatigues after years of use, which is a mechanical failure rather than a chemical safety issue.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 92% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- T-fal has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.