Tefal, Easy Grip Medium Baking Tray 26×36
Avoid until Tefal confirms the coating is PFAS-free.
Tefal won't reveal what's in this tray's nonstick coating or whether it contains PFAS. Older nonstick baking trays often relied on Teflon-type coating or PFOA.
The safe swap
Staub
Staub 4-Piece Baking Dish Set
90/100 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
Steel with unspecified nonstick coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Advertised as non-stick but coating type is not explained.
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Teflon-type coating degradation and fume release
If coating is Teflon-type coating-based, heating above 500°F or damage to the surface can release fluorinated gases. Standard baking (350-400°F) poses minimal risk, but broiler use or overheating could trigger fume inhalation, especially in birds (which are highly sensitive to Teflon-type coating fumes).
Coating adhesion loss over time
User reports and product reviews on Tefal bakeware indicate nonstick coating can flake or wear after 1-3 years with regular use, particularly at edges. Visible coating loss signals replacement is needed to avoid ingestion of coating particles.
Steel substrate corrosion if coating fails
Once nonstick coating is compromised, bare steel may oxidize or rust if exposed to moisture and not promptly dried. Rust particles are not acutely toxic but indicate the tray has reached end of life.
PFAS
Tefal's silence on coating type is itself a red flag in a category where PFAS-free alternatives are now standard among premium competitors. This absence of disclosure suggests either legacy Teflon-type coating use or reluctance to market a newer coating formula, neither of which builds consumer confidence.
Source: ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Metal leaching from unspecified coating chemistry
Tefal uses approved food-contact materials in EU and North America, so heavy metal migration (lead, cadmium) is unlikely. However, without material specs, no independent verification is possible for this specific product line.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This tray is steel substrate with an unnamed nonstick coating. Tefal does not publicly specify whether the coating is Teflon-type coating-based (traditional Teflon), ceramic, silicone, or another polymer. This matters because Teflon-type coating coatings can release perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) and fumes above 500°F, while ceramic or silicone alternatives avoid this risk. Without material transparency from Tefal, the actual hazard profile cannot be confirmed.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tefal (Group SEB subsidiary) has not made public commitments to PFAS-free cookware or provided independent certification of coating composition for this model. The brand maintains a general cookware safety page but does not disclose nonstick chemistry by product line. This silence is notable given industry-wide scrutiny of Teflon-type coating and growing PFAS regulations in EU and North America, where Tefal operates.
How it compares in its category
Most mid-range steel baking trays either use Teflon-type coating nonstick (Tefal's traditional approach), ceramic coatings (GreenPan, Our Place), or uncoated steel (bare or seasoned). Tefal's lack of specification puts this tray at a disadvantage compared to competitors who explicitly market PFAS-free or ceramic options. Budget bakeware often accepts this trade-off; premium brands typically disclose or certify coating type.
If you buy it
Use oven temperatures below 400°F to minimize any potential fume release if coating is Teflon-type coating-based. Avoid preheating empty trays or using under broilers. Do not scratch or damage the coating during storage or use. Hand wash only; dishwasher may accelerate coating wear. Contact Tefal directly and request written confirmation of nonstick coating type and PFAS absence before purchase if this is a concern for your household.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Tefal has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Bakeware
Caraway
Ceramic Baking Sheet
Coating degradation and metal substrate exposure
Limited concern
Aluminum substrate leaching (if aluminum core)
Limited concern
Thermal shock and coating fracturing
Limited concern
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
GreenPan
GreenLife Ceramic Nonstick Bakeware
Ceramic nonstick coating
Coating degradation and aluminum leaching
Limited concern
Microcracking and ceramic particle shedding
Limited concern
Lower risk, ceramic nonstick avoids Teflon-type coating and PFOA.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Staub
4-Piece Baking Dish Set
enameled cast iron
Enamel degradation and iron leaching
Limited concern
Thermal stress fracture of enamel
Moderate concern
Lower PFAS concern, enameled cast iron baking dishes without nonstick coating.
⚠Risky category by default
More bakeware 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.