Updated 11/2023

Whether you are a seasonal baker ( Thanksgiving, holidays, birthdays) or a frequent baker … lets make sure your bakeware is as non-toxic as your everyday cookware hopefully is!

What to Avoid

1. Non-stick finishes: traditionally bakeware use toxic fluorinated (PFAS) chemicals. By January 2024 all pans that contain PFAS sold in California will have to be labeled with a warning label (and because California is such a large state and market this is probably to trickle down throughout the US) but for now it is still sometimes hard to decipher, so best to avoid buying ‘non-stick pans’ even if they are labelled as “PFOA / PTFE/PFOS free”.

2. Aluminum: Aluminum pans look like stainless steel, cost less, are lighter in weight but can expose you to aluminum a very well studied and harmful heavy metal and neurotoxin. Aluminum can affects/alter the structure or function of our nervous system - which includes our brain. Because of aluminum’s effects on our brains, even at low levels, constant exposure to small amounts through cooking is concerning especially for women who are pregnant and young children Additionally, aluminum exposure has been studied for its potential link to Alzheimer’s disease for many years.

3. Silicone: i know this will be controversial but silicone can be problematic in the kitchen. While TheFDA has approved food grade silicone as safe - meaning it will not react with other materials or release hazardous compounds when heated…. Some less expensive silicone products can contain fillers . Pay attention to the grade- the purest is medical grade, followed by platinum grade and then food grade and finally no grade at all. If choosing platinum or food grade ( especially if brightly colored) confirm it is tested and free of lead, and fillers.

   It is also important to confirm the silicone, especially brightly colored silicone, has undergone lead testing, since the colorants could be a source of lead. Finally, studies have found that small amounts of certain compounds called siloxanes can leach from silicone when it is exposed to both fat and temperatures over 350 F.

   While the amount of siloxanes leaching is very small, these compounds have been linked to reproductive impairment, liver changes, and some may be endocrine disrupting.

If you rarely bake then using silicone twice a year is no big deal but avoid frequent use and when you do buy silicone make sure it is food grade, medical grade or platinum grade silicone.

Aida Approved low tox baking Alternatives

CAST IRON

You can find muffin pans , mini muffin pans, loaf pans, waffle makers () I still lightly grease these with butter and flour to make popping out the baked goods easy peasy. Some brands to look into are: Lodge , Field Company and Staub ( I like this loaf pan of theirs in addition to the lodge one I mentioned before which I actually have)

Field Company is another great brand: their cast iron is smoother and a pleasure to cook with! (11/202: they have a great Black Friday sale!)

STAINLESS STEEL

I use my All Clad cookie sheet multiple times a week. Make sure it is 18/10 stainless steel and ideally made in the US.

This year I purchased the bigger cookie sheet from 360 cookware and I love it! THey have various sizes and are made in the US. I really really like this brand! They also have round cake pans, brownie pans, pie and loaf pans! USe: AIDASPICKS for a discount! They also have a great Black Friday sale going on- 11/2023

These 8 “ round cake pans are not made in the US, made in China, but a good alternative. Most of these round cake pans are aluminum

GLASS

A great alternative for baking- glass is inert and will not expose your food to chemicals. Pyrex is a well known and safe glass brand we use at home. Avoid glass that has designs painted on it as this paint could potentially contain lead

Pyrex for casseroles and baking are great and these are too

OTHER BAKING ITEMS

If You Care Parchment Paper Baking Sheets – 12 Pack of 24-Count Precut Liners - Unbleached, Chlorine Free, Greaseproof, Silicone Coated. Again I feel comfortable using these as it contains very little silicone.

If You Care Baking Cup Mini 90 Pc

I have more baking essentials in my Amazon SHop!

HAPPY BAKING!!!!