CA Could Phase Out Forever Chemicals In Pans; Celebrity Chefs Are Pushing Back

California lawmakers voted to phase out the use of “forever chemicals” in cookware, but the effort is drawing sharp criticism from some of the country’s most recognizable chefs.

Passed by both houses of the California legislature late Friday, the new law would ban the sale of pans and other cookware containing PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — starting in 2030.

The bill now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for consideration.

PFAS are synthetic chemicals prized for their durability and nonstick properties, but are nearly impossible to break down in the environment. Public health experts have warned that these synthetic chemicals accumulate in the body. They've been linked to cancer, liver and kidney disease, and developmental issues.

But a coalition of celebrity chefs — Rachel Ray, David Chang, Thomas Keller, Marcus Samuelsson and more — are banding together to defend nonstick pans. The group of well-known chefs, who all sell or have collaborated on cookware lines, has launched an oppositional effort, No On SB 682: Protect Safe Cookware.

The chefs argue that nonstick pans are safe when used correctly and responsibly.

"I respect and share the Legislature’s commitment [to] protecting public health and the environment," Keller said. "However, I encourage you to fully evaluate the complete body of scientific evidence before moving forward with any restrictions."

In letters submitted to the Legislature, they argued that high-quality nonstick cookware made with PTFE, a common fluoropolymer, is safe and essential for both professional kitchens and home cooks.

"I believe the best way forward is to educate, not eliminate. Give consumers the facts and trust them to make informed decisions," Ray wrote in her letter.

Ray has a line of cookware that would be banned from sale in California if the law were to take effect.

On the product page for her Cook + Create sets, a disclaimer reads: "This product contains (Este producto contiene) Fluoropolymer, PTFE, FEP, PFA (PFAS), Aluminum."

David Chang — who previously defended MSG amid health concerns and has pushed back against stigma surrounding microwave use — also submitted a letter supporting PFAS.

"The reality is that some foods are extremely difficult to cook well without nonstick pans," the Momofuku owner wrote. "Alternatives such as stainless steel, cast iron, or newer coatings often come with trade-offs: they can be more costly, less durable, or harder for many home cooks to use successfully."

"I believe the better path is education, not elimination," he continued, adding that he believes PTFE has been proven safe when used responsibly.

PTFE, otherwise known as Teflon, is most commonly used as a nonstick coating for cookware. According to a study published with the National Institutes of Health, at normal cooking temperatures, the cookware coating releases various gases and chemicals that present mild to severe toxicity.

"Legislatures are actively being misled by businesses making false safety claims and using affordability as a red herring," wrote Dr. Katie Pelch, a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council.

PTFEs can also pose risks if a pan is scratched during cooking or cleaning.

"As a nurse and a public health scientist, we are concerned by this, and it is why we are in support of getting these harmful chemicals out of our cookware and other products," Pelch wrote. "The good news is that there are already many affordable and safer alternatives to PFAS in our cookware, like stainless steel, ceramic, and cast-iron pans."

Actor Mark Ruffalo, who once played a lawyer taking on PFAS manufacturers in Dark Waters, has also thrown himself into the mix. On Aug. 2, he directly called on Ray to "work together to protect our families," in a post on X.

"Rachel, I share your commitment to make people feel confident in the kitchen," he wrote. "Getting toxic chemicals like PFAS out of our cookware is just as important as choosing the right recipe."

If signed into law, California’s restrictions would apply not only to cookware but also to cleaning products, food packaging, ski wax and dental floss, many of which would be phased out as early as 2028.

The bill is part of a broader push nationwide to limit PFAS use as regulators grapple with the chemicals’ long-term risks. Industry groups are expected to lobby the governor’s office heavily in the coming weeks.

Cookware makers and chefs argue that alternatives like cast iron or stainless steel may be less practical for delicate foods, such as eggs, crepes and fish. They urged lawmakers to consider exemptions or labeling requirements rather than an outright ban.

Sen. Ben Allen, a Democrat from Southern California, who authored the bill, says the law wouldn't require people to get rid of their current cookware.

Allen told the New York Times that he recently visited Minnesota, a state that already has a similar ban in place.

“And ate really well there," he told the newspaper. "They’re not starving, and their food scene is thriving.”