The normal usage of non-stick cookware for daily cooking at temperature not exceeding 250oC should be safe and not harmful to health.
This assurance from the Consumer Council followed recent concerns that non-stick cooking utensils could release toxic fume.
Non-stick cookware contains the coating PTFE (poly-tetra-fluoroethylene) which, under normal circumstances of use, does not pose a risk to humans.
The concern for hazard arises only if the utensil is under gross overheating that can result in the decomposition of the non-stick coating PTFE, leading to the formation of various types of chemical products, some of which are believed to be toxic.
When PTFE is overheated to between 315°C and 375°C, PTFE (polymer) Fume Fever, an influenza-like syndrome, may result. Inhalation exposure to such fume can cause chills, fever, profuse sweating, cough and chest tightness. These symptoms are generally self-limited and last for 24 to 48 hours.
PTFE is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as Group 3 i.e. the agent is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. This category is used most commonly for agents for which the evidence of carcinogenicity is inadequate in humans and inadequate or limited in experimental animals.
As daily cooking such as steaming and frying does not exceed 250°C, consumers can put their heart at ease in the normal usage of non-stick cookware. Even for frying meat requiring high temperature, the normal range is about 200°C to 240°C.
Nonetheless, consumers will do well to observe some safety tips: keep the kitchen well ventilated; use low or medium heat; and never dry heat a non-stick cookware.
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