Tovolo · Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards
Tovolo Elements Flexi Cutting Mats, Are They Non-Toxic?
Minimal concern. Silicone mats are unlikely to leach PFAS.
Tovolo Elements mats are silicone or rubber-based cutting surfaces without reported PFAS treatment. The material carries lower concern than nonstick coatings.
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
Silicone or thermoplastic rubber
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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Are Tovolo Elements Flexi Cutting Mats non-toxic? What it is made of
Tovolo Elements Flexi Cutting Mats are made from food-grade silicone or silicone-blended thermoplastic rubber. Silicone is a synthetic polymer backbone (silicon-oxygen chains) that does not leach toxic additives like BPA or phthalates under normal use. The material is non-porous, chemically stable at typical kitchen temperatures, and resistant to degradation from cutting, washing, and food contact.
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.
Coating degradation and microplastic shed
Silicone can slowly degrade with prolonged heat exposure, UV light, or aggressive cutting. Fine silicone particles may shed into food if the mat surface is deeply scored or cracked, though silicone itself is considered non-toxic if ingested in trace amounts.
Bacterial growth if unmaintained
Despite non-porous design, silicone can accumulate bacteria in crevices and seams if not dried thoroughly after washing. Proper air-drying and regular cleaning prevent pathogenic growth risk.
Leaching of uncrosslinked oligomers
Low-quality silicone can contain uncrosslinked oligomers that may migrate into fatty foods at high temperatures. Tovolo products meet FDA food-contact standards, but no independent verification is publicly available.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No public data on cadmium, lead, or antimony in Tovolo mat dyes or additives. Food-grade silicone standards typically exclude these, but Tovolo provides no third-party testing documentation.
Source, FDA ↗Odor or off-gassing
Silicone mats are not reported to emit formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds. Any initial odor typically dissipates within days of airing and does not indicate a safety hazard.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Tovolo does not publicly disclose detailed material safety data, PFAS testing, or third-party certifications for this product line. The brand has no documented recalls or safety controversies on record for cutting mats. No evidence of transparency initiatives on manufacturing practices or supply chain oversight; this is typical for mid-market kitchenware brands and does not indicate a safety problem.
How it compares in its category
Silicone cutting mats show lower concern than wood (which can harbor bacteria), plastic (which may leach BPA or phthalates when worn), or rubber (which may contain heavy metals in colorants). Tovolo's flexi-mat design is comparable to OXO, Joseph Joseph, and Epicurean in material profile. Price and durability positioning suggest this is a standard consumer product without premium safety claims or certifications.
If you buy it
Wash before first use and after each use with warm soapy water. Silicone is heat-stable to approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit but should not be used as a cooking surface directly on heat; use as a prep or cutting mat only. Replace if surface becomes tacky, sticky, or visibly worn (typically 2-5 years with normal care). Do not use abrasive scouring pads that can degrade the surface.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Tovolo has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Tovolo Elements Flexi Cutting Mats?
- 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.