If you want to know Does T-Fal Have Teflon? Read through this article!
People have had an ingrained fear of non-stick pans since the Teflon’s Link (a chemical that is used to make nonstick pans) was discovered. A lawsuit was filed against DuPont company by T-Fal, the most well-known brand of non-stick pans.
However, confusion surrounding Teflon or Tefal can lead to a lot of misunderstandings and incorrect conceptions.
Let’s begin with the basics to clear up all the confusion.
T-Fal is a well-known brand of non-stick cookware, having been around since 1956. It’s the first company to use Teflon, a chemical that makes a nonstick cooking surface that won’t stick food.
The question is:
Does T-Fal Have Teflon in it?
Yes, T-Fal uses Teflon in non-stick pans. Tefal refers to the combination of Teflon and Aluminum. Aluminum is a metal that forms nonstick pans.
You can find alternatives to Teflon by looking at our suggestions for nonstick pans that are free of Teflon.
You might have noticed or know that I’m interchanging “Tefal” and “T-Fal.”
People who are not aware might be thinking.
Are T-Fal and Tefal the same thing?
Yes, T-Fal is the same as Tefal. Although Tefal was founded in France, its products are sold in North America under the name T-Fal. Wikipedia states that the DuPont Company objected to Tefal’s similarity to their trademark chemical Teflon.
Then…
How has Teflon gained a bad reputation and what is DuPont?
This is one of the most thrilling stories you could be missing. Enjoy it!
In 1938, Roy Plunkett, a scientist at DuPont Company, discovered a chemical while researching refrigerants. He had previously-stored TFE in small cylinders at dry temperature. But what he discovered was the chemical that was unique and was polymerized to form the white waxy substance.
The chemical was called PTFE and was considered to be the most slippery substance on earth. It was chemically inert and resistant to heat when further research was done on the chemical.
This discovery opened up many new possibilities for DuPont and provided a fresh set of ideas for various products.
The company first discovered the chemical and in 1945, it patent it under a new name “Teflon” for branding purposes.
We know so far that Teflon does not come from Tefal, but it is manufactured by the DuPont Company.
Teflon’s amazing chemical properties made it a popular choice for its use in the kitchen.
- Aerospace
- Communications
- Electronics
- Automakers and auto parts
- Architecture and industrial processes
- Medical devices
- Surgical tools
Teflon: How Tefal Brand Was Founded
Marc Gregoire, a French engineer, used Teflon as a non-friction material to create nonstick pans. This brilliant idea and its execution took the world by storm.
Popularity began to rise for Tefal and non-stick pans. Nearly every household switched from sticky pans to nonstick pans.
But, then?
The downfall started…
The discovery of Teflon’s relationship with Cancer…
Not only cancer, but also infertility and birth defects, immune disorders, liver issues, and other problems, just to name a few.
So it happened that…
The DuPont Company purchased a new chemical PFOA in 1951 to use in the production of PTFE (a.k.a. Teflon). Teflon. PFOA was added to prevent clumping when Teflon coating was applied.
However, PFOA was the “REAL CULPRIT” and was responsible for various types of cancers.
Many pieces of research have been done since then by the EPA and FDA, American Cancer Society, and DuPont.
DuPont had dumped thousands upon thousands of pounds of PFOA chemical into the Ohio River. The carcinogenic substance was contaminating drinking water. The PFOA sludge sank underground, contaminating the water supply even after DuPont bought a DRY Run landfill and stopped throwing it in rivers.
The water had a higher level of PFOA…
So were the mysterious deaths close…. to hundreds of farm cows, infertility, cancer, and congenital anomalies.
DuPont Company kept all research confidential…
Bob Bilott, a lawyer, brought the neglect of the company to the attention of the authorities. Eventually, PFOA was outlawed in the production of PTFE and Teflon.
The EPA requested that cookware manufacturers weed out PFOA. DuPont, which supplies Teflon for all cookware makers, gradually stopped using the most dangerous chemical, PFOA.
Did you know that there is a movie based upon the DuPont lawsuit regarding the ban on PFOA? The movie’s title is Dark Waters and stars my favorite actors, Mark Ruffalo, and Anne Hathaway.
So,
Is this a sign that Tefal has ceased to use Teflon?
T-Fal still uses Teflon, but Teflon has been removed from PFOA. PFOA was causing deadly diseases in humans. Our top ceramic nonstick pans list will help you find the best cookware that is free of toxic material.
Are you still a Teflon associate?
You wouldn’t be…
T-fal introduced PTFE as a new chemical. They used it to make cookware and didn’t know it contained any harmful chemicals. Teflon was also used in many other cookware products. We see people connecting Teflon with Tefal all the time.
- Check the label next time you buy nonstick cookware.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that it is PFOA-free. However, it still contains Teflon (aka PTFE). - It is a sign that it doesn’t have Teflon coating if it says PFOA or PTFE-free.
So,
Are the new Tefal products safe to use?
Yes, Tefal is safe. However, scientific research continues. All pots and pans with PTFE coated still pose a slight danger, but not deadly.
You can read more about it in the article “Is Teflon Cookware Safe?”. We will go into detail.
Takeaway
- T-Fal is the name of the same company.
- Teflon is a patented name for the chemical PTFE.
- Tefal was the first to use Teflon (PTFE), in its products.
- PFOA was a chemical that used to be in PTFE.
- PFOA is carcinogenic, and it has been banned.
- Tefal pans made after 2013 are completely PFOA-free and therefore considered safe to use.
