HexClad is one of many modern nonstick cookware brands touting the non-toxic benefits of its PFAS-free pans. The only problem? HexClad isn’t as safe as it seems.
The brand has just agreed to a $2.5 million class action lawsuit settlement over claims that it falsely advertised its cookware as devoid of the forever chemicals that studies have linked to global warming, endocrine disruption, reproductive ailments, and increased risk of cancer1.
The HexClad Cookware Story
HexClad cookware was founded by Danny Winer with the goal of solving the many woes plaguing the nonstick cookware sector. Classic Teflon nonstick pans are made with PTFE, a substance categorized as a PFAS “forever chemical.” PFAS chemicals earned this nickname because they bioaccumulate in the human body and build up in the environment, damaging both our health and the planet.
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Winer first encountered a new kind of nonstick pan pioneered by a Korean entrepreneur at a trade show in Asia. The pan boasted a unique laser-etched hexagon-shaped coating with a surface that combined the best of stainless steel and nonstick. Winer and his team were inspired to craft a pan in this style, and HexClad was born.
Durable, dishwasher-safe, and resistant to temperatures of up to 900 degrees, HexClad seemed like the perfect pan for the American market. Pros agreed, including celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. “The sear I can get with these pans is incredible, with absolutely no stick,” reads a quote from the chef on the company’s website. “The temperature control is utter perfection, and the clean-up is effortless.”
HexClad became one of Costco’s most highly-rated cookware sets, beloved for its nonstick performance and its lack of toxicity as compared to other similar products on the market. But beyond its claims on paper, is HexClad safe?
The HexClad Class Action Lawsuit: Does HexClad Have Teflon?
HexClad cookware’s lack of toxicity was one of its most alluring market elements. The company notably advertises its cookware as being devoid of the PFAS that are present in most traditional nonstick cookware. This, combined with better performance than many other non-toxic nonstick alternatives, seemed to make these pans a no-brainer.
But in 2023, a suit was brought against the company through the California courts alleging that despite its claims, the cookware actually did contain PTFE2. While HexClad has not admitted any wrongdoing, it has admitted that the chemical is present in some of its products. As a result, HexClad has agreed to pay $2.5 million to eligible consumers who were swayed by these false promises. The deadline for submitting a valid claim under the HexClad lawsuit is November 14, 2025.
Sourcing Truly Non-Toxic Nonstick Cookware
The HexClad debacle is unfortunate — and especially disappointing for people who were misled. But for customers left wondering “Is HexClad toxic?,” we have some alternatives to propose. For those who want to stick to truly non-toxic, nonstick cookware, we at Organic Authority have tested some of the top non-toxic nonstick cookware brands to share our favorites for your home kitchen.
Whether you’re looking for ceramic-coated cookware in a variety of bright hues like the pans from Caraway or time-tested 100% ceramic construction like Xtrema, the right non-toxic nonstick pan for you is definitely out there.
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Sources:
- https://www.epa.gov/pfas/our-current-understanding-human-health-and-environmental-risks-pfas
- https://www.classaction.org/news/2.5m-hexclad-settlement-reached-in-false-advertising-lawsuit-over-supposedly-non-toxic-cookware
