The Big One · Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards
The Big One 4-pc. Nonslip Cutting Mat Set, Is It Non-Toxic?
Silicone with no coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
The product information we reviewed describes rubber or silicone cutting mats, with no applied coating named. Silicone releases food on its own, so a non-stick claim on a silicone product describes the material rather than a coating. The brand has published no PFAS statement for it.
The better-graded swap
Fiskars
Functional Form Cutting Board Set, 3-Piece
85/100 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
Rubber or silicone cutting mats
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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Is The Big One 4-pc. Nonslip Cutting Mat Set non-toxic? What it is made of
The Big One cutting mats are rubber or silicone-based, a synthetic polymer family chosen for food contact because both cure to stable solids with minimal leaching at room temperature. Unlike plastic cutting boards, silicone does not shed microplastics during normal use and resists bacterial colonization better than wood. The nonslip feature is typically a surface texture rather than a chemical additive, so it does not introduce additional leaching risk.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Silicone leaching at elevated temperature
Food-grade silicone is stable at room and warm temperatures but may release trace oligomers if exposed to prolonged heat above 200°C. Normal cutting and prep use does not reach these temperatures; risk is minimal for this product's intended use.
Bacterial or mold growth in texture
The nonslip surface texture can trap moisture and food particles if not cleaned thoroughly. Regular hand-washing and air-drying reduce this risk; dishwasher-safe models (if this set is) lower the risk further.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Microplastic shedding
Silicone does not break down into microplastics during food prep or cutting. Unlike polyethylene or polypropylene boards, silicone mats are not known to shed particles into food.
Chemical off-gassing or odor
No off-gassing complaints or VOC emission data are on record for The Big One or comparable silicone mat brands. A slight rubber or silicone smell on arrival is common and dissipates within hours.
Lead
Food-contact silicone is regulated for heavy metals in the US (FDA CFR 177.2600). No violations have been reported for this brand; colored silicone mats from major retailers typically meet these limits.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The Big One is a house brand carried by Kohl's; no public PFAS statement or third-party certification records exist for this product line. The brand has not disclosed specific material sourcing or hazard testing. No recalls or safety controversies are on record for this cutting mat set in FDA or CPSC databases.
How it compares in its category
Silicone and rubber cutting mats show lower concern relative to other prep-board materials. They avoid the leaching risks of polycarbonate and melamine plastics, do not splinter like wood, and are easier to sanitize than bamboo. Competitor brands (OXO, Farberware) with similar silicone mats also lack published hazard data, making this set competitively positioned for food safety.
If you buy it
Hand-wash in warm soapy water after each use to prevent bacterial buildup in the nonslip texture; avoid prolonged contact with oils or high-heat liquids above 200°C, as silicone can soften. Replace if discoloration, odor, or surface degradation occurs, typically after 2, 5 years of heavy use. Store flat in a dry area to prevent warping.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- The Big One has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to The Big One 4-pc. Nonslip Cutting Mat Set?
- Polypropylene or similar plastic; no nonstick or waterproof coating disclosed
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Microplastic shedding from cutting action
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.