Tovolo · Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards
Tovolo Flexible Cutting Set, Is It Non-Toxic?
Silicone cutting mats carry lower PFAS risk than nonstick cookware.
Tovolo flexible cutting mats are silicone-based, a material with lower inherent PFAS risk. Brand offers no explicit PFAS disclosure.
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 cutting mats and flexible cutting boards
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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Is Tovolo Flexible Cutting Set non-toxic? What it is made of
Tovolo Flexible Cutting Set consists of thin, food-grade silicone mats and boards designed for cutting and food prep. Silicone is a synthetic rubber polymer that does not contain the lead, cadmium, or melamine compounds found in ceramic or melamine cutting boards. Unlike nonstick cookware, these mats are not coated with Teflon-type coating (Teflon) and do not release fumes when heated because they are rarely exposed to high temperatures during normal cutting tasks.
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 and off-gassing
Low-grade silicone can release volatile organic compounds (oligomers) into food, especially when heated or in contact with fatty foods or alcohol. Tovolo does not disclose silicone purity or type; no independent testing on this specific product is publicly available.
Heavy metals
Silicone mats are often dyed for branding and aesthetics. If pigments are poorly fixed or contain heavy metals (cadmium, lead, chromium), prolonged contact with acidic or fatty foods may cause dye leaching. No specific reports exist for Tovolo products, but industry-wide risk is documented.
Source, FDA ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Bacterial and mold growth
Silicone is nonporous and does not harbor bacteria like wood; however, crevices or wear points can trap moisture. Regular washing prevents this entirely.
Coating degradation and delamination
Unlike laminated plastic boards, silicone mats are monolithic and do not delaminate. Wear and staining are cosmetic, not structural hazards.
Thermal exposure and fume release
Cutting mats are rarely heated to temperatures that trigger silicone fume release (typically above 200 C). Normal kitchen use poses no fume inhalation risk.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Tovolo is a mid-tier kitchenware brand with no major product recalls or contamination incidents in public records related to this cutting mat line. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or use claims on its website or product packaging. No third-party certifications (FDA, NSF, or similar) appear on packaging or marketing materials, though silicone food-contact items are generally subject to FDA indirect food additive regulations.
How it compares in its category
Silicone cutting mats rank low-risk for chemical leaching compared to wooden boards (potential mold/bacterial harboring), plastic boards (BPA/phthalate leaching if low-quality), or ceramic boards (lead/cadmium glaze risk). Tovolo's product sits in the middle-market segment; premium silicone alternatives (e.g., Oxo, Farberware) offer thicker construction and longer durability, while budget silicone mats carry higher risk of off-gassing or color dyes leaching into acidic foods.
If you buy it
Hand wash in cool to warm water; avoid prolonged exposure to bleach or strong solvents that can degrade silicone over time. Silicone cutting mats are durable but may stain with turmeric, beets, or red wine if not cleaned promptly; this does not indicate chemical failure. Replace if mat develops tears, deep cracks, or persistent odors, as these indicate breakdown. Store flat or rolled loosely to avoid permanent creasing.
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 Flexible Cutting 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.