Tovolo · Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards
Tovolo Pro Grade Baking Mat
Unknown coating on silicone mat makes PFAS risk unclear.
Tovolo hasn't revealed what coats this silicone mat or whether it contains PFAS. Teflon-family coating additives might be present in silicone mats, but the brand offers no confirmation either way.
The safe swap
Teflon
Ryobi Self-Healing Cutting Mat
80/100 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 baking mat, coating unspecified
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Advertised as non-stick but coating type is not explained.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Silicone degradation and additive migration
Silicone itself is stable, but food-contact silicones often contain fillers (silica, talc) and processing aids that can migrate into fatty foods or at high temperatures. No recalls for Tovolo mats are on record, but independent testing of silicone mats has occasionally detected minor leaching. Risk is low at normal baking temperatures but increases above 450°F.
PFAS
The product does not disclose whether a non-stick coating (potentially Teflon-type coating or other fluorinated compound) is applied. If present, coating wear could release microparticles or PFAS into food. This ambiguity is the primary reason to demand manufacturer transparency or to seek a certified alternative.
Source: ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding from wear
Frequent use and abrasion from utensils or dishwashers can fragment silicone, releasing submicron particles into food. While silicone is not as prone to this as some plastics, degraded surfaces are a known concern for all silicone cookware used over years.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or documented cases of lead, cadmium, or antimony in Tovolo silicone mats have been reported. Silicone mats typically use food-grade colorants, but unspecified composition means this cannot be ruled out definitively without testing.
Source: FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Silicone mats do not require phenolic or urea-formaldehyde binders like some ceramics or composites. However, any adhesive seams or fabric backing (if present) could off-gas formaldehyde, especially when new or heated. Airing out the mat before first use is a precaution.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Tovolo Pro Grade Baking Mat is a silicone-based baking sheet. Silicone itself is chemically inert at normal baking temperatures (up to ~450°F), meaning the base polymer does not leach into food. However, the product listing does not disclose whether the silicone contains surface coatings, fillers, or additives that could migrate under heat. The 'coating unspecified' status means durability and any embedded PFAS compounds cannot be ruled out without direct testing or manufacturer confirmation.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tovolo is a cookware and kitchen accessories brand with no widely documented history of safety recalls or hazard disclosures specific to baking mats. The brand does not appear to publish material safety data sheets or independent third-party certifications (e.g., FDA compliance statements or GOTS) for this product on standard retail channels. Silence on PFAS and coating composition is the norm for most silicone mat vendors, but lack of transparency limits confidence in the supply chain.
How it compares in its category
Silicone baking mats occupy a middle ground: they avoid the non-stick coating risks of Teflon-type coating pans and are reusable unlike parchment paper. However, most silicone mats on the market, including budget and premium brands, lack ingredient transparency or independent testing data. Tovolo's 'Pro Grade' designation suggests durability focus but does not address chemical composition more clearly than competitors. Parchment paper and glass baking sheets remain the lowest-risk alternatives if chemical uncertainty is a primary concern.
If you buy it
Keep the mat away from direct flame and sharp utensils; silicone can tear, exposing any filler materials or creating microparticles. Do not exceed 450-480°F; higher temperatures can degrade silicone and accelerate migration of additives. Hand wash only (dishwasher heat can stress the material). Replace the mat if you notice surface discoloration, permanent sticking, or visible wear, as degradation may signal breakdown of coatings or binders. Store flat or loosely rolled to prevent creasing that can trap moisture and accelerate aging.
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
- Tovolo has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards
Silikomart
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silicone rubber grip mat, non-coated
Siloxane leaching (low-molecular-weight oligomers)
Limited concern
Microparticle shedding from grip surface
Limited concern
Mold or bacterial growth in surface texture
Limited concern
Low concern; silicone grip mats rarely contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Pyrex
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silicone
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Limited concern
Migration of manufacturing residue or plasticizers
Limited concern
Silicone project mat carries low concern; no coating risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Pyrex
1, Size: 29cm/11.42 x 26cm/10.24 (Approx.)40cm/15.75 x 30cm/11.81 (Approx.)50cm/19.69 x 40cm/15.75 (Approx.)60cm/23.62 x
borosilicate glass
Thermal shock fracture and cutting hazard
Moderate concern
Lid or handle coating hazards
Limited concern
Minimal concern. Pyrex borosilicate glass is inherently PFAS-free.
⚠Risky category by default
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.