With a flashy design, celebrity chef endorsement, and premium price tag, HexClad Cookware looks like a quality kitchen purchase. But Gordon Ramsay’s stamp of approval wasn’t all that drew customers to the pots and pans: HexClad also heavily marketed its products as non-toxic, PFAS-free, and PFOA-free.
These claims garnered HexClad the business of many a health-focused home chef—but a recent lawsuit says they were untrue. By the company’s own admission, their cookware was coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) commonly called Teflon.
HexClad denies wrongdoing but has agreed to a $2.5 million settlement to resolve the false advertisement claims.
Who Qualifies For The HexClad Settlement?
Customers who purchased qualifying HexClad Cookware between February 1, 2022, and March 31, 2024, in the United States may qualify to claim a share.
For more information on whether you qualify and instructions on how to submit a claim visit the official settlement website. This page provides further details on making a HexClad settlement claim.
PFAS, PFOA, and PTFE—Why Are They Harmful In Cookware?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known as “forever chemicals” because of their tendency to persist in the environment without breaking down. This allows them to accumulate in soil, water, and living organisms (including plants, fish, and even humans).
Human exposure to PFAS can cause a variety of concerning health effects, including:
- Hormone disruption
- Decreased fertility and pregnancy complications
- Increased prostate, kidney, and testicular cancer risk
- High cholesterol and increased obesity risk
- Reduced vaccine response and other immune system problems
- Developmental effects in children (including low birth weight, early onset of puberty, bone problems, and behavioral issues)
People who sustain higher or longer-term PFAS exposure are typically more severely affected. Individuals may be exposed in a variety of ways, like by:
- Drinking contaminated water
- Working with or around PFAS (especially as a firefighter or chemical manufacturing worker)
- Eating contaminated food
- Breathing contaminated air
- Consuming contaminated dust or soil
- Using products containing PFAS or packaged with PFAS-containing materials
Non-stick cookware is one type of product often produced with PFAS. Pots and pans that feature a non-stick surface are frequently made with Teflon, the brand name for PTFE. Teflon (or PTFE) was once commonly manufactured with PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid).
PTFE-coated cookware may be convenient—but is it safe? Some sources say there’s no health risk with typical use, but other experts advise caution, warning that dangerous exposure can occur if non-stick cookware is:
- Overheated. Teflon can break down at temperatures over 500°F (260°C). This can easily happen—especially when empty cookware is heated—causing PTFE fumes to be released into the air and inhaled. PTFE may also be absorbed by foods or liquids in contact with the overheated cookware.
- Scratched or scuffed. Metal cooking utensils, steel wool, heavy-duty sponges, and scouring pads can scratch the Teflon surface, allowing it to flake off and be consumed.
- Not replaced frequently enough. Over time, the nonstick coating can break down and contaminate food or liquids. Well-made nonstick pans can last 5 to 7 years, while lower-quality cookware may need to be replaced as frequently as every 2 years.
Understanding The HexClad False Advertising Claims
HexClad consistently marketed its pots and pans as “non-toxic” and PFAS-free. This led many customers to believe that HexClad Cookware was made with a safe non-stick coating, posing no risk to their health or the environment.
The toxic cookware class action complaint referenced HexClad’s own FAQ page, which allegedly stated, “Our pans are coated with a non toxic, PFOA free (and free from all PFAS) non-stick PTFE coating.” The company also mentioned this PTFE coating in a blog, where they claimed it was “safe and inert.”
Plaintiffs point out several problems with HexClad’s statements. First, the State of California (home to the HexClad headquarters) defines PTFE as a type of PFAS—making the “PFAS-free” claim inherently misleading. Second, research cited by HexClad in their own blog indicates that PTFE coatings like those used in the company’s products are not inert and can release harmful gases during normal cooking.
Further, the PFOA-free cookware lawsuit accuses HexClad of several other serious infractions, including:
- Negligent Misrepresentation. The company knew (or reasonably should have known) that its claims were untrue.
- Failure to Warn: HexClad understood the risks, even citing research on the dangers of PTFE cookware, but neglected to warn customers.
- Unjust Enrichment: HexClad profited off their allegedly false claims as customers paid a premium for the defective products.
HexClad’s Response
While HexClad Cookware carefully avoided admitting to any wrongdoing, the company has agreed to a $2.5 million settlement. The business also pledged to stop labeling its PTFE-containing products as non-toxic and free from PFAS.
Additionally, HexClad began using a ceramic-based coating for its cookware in 2024. This coating reportedly does not contain PTFE or PFAS of any kind—though consumers are understandably cautious of these claims given HexClad’s history.
PTFE-Coated Cookware Alternatives
Non-stick cookware is a staple in many kitchens, leaving home cooks with the difficult choice between safety and convenience. The good news is that there are a variety of useful alternatives to Teflon-based coatings, such as:
- Ceramic. A newer option praised for its nonstick properties that outperform even PTFE. Like Teflon, though, it can be easily scratched.
- Cast Iron. A properly seasoned cast-iron pan is naturally nonstick. This option is extremely durable and heat-resistant.
- Stainless steel. Though this surface is not naturally nonstick, it can be stick-resistant with proper preheating and use of fats.
- Carbon steel. Like stainless steel, this alternative isn’t inherently nonstick. However, it can be stick-resistant with proper seasoning.
The HexClad Cookware Chemical Labeling Lawsuit: A Lesson Learned
The HexClad Cookware PFAS-free cookware lawsuit is the latest in a long line of healthwashing litigation. Healthwashing is a type of greenwashing that occurs when companies misrepresent their products as healthier than they are. Poppi, KitchenAid, Anolon, and PepsiCo have also been sued for allegedly utilizing this predatory marketing tactic to increase profits.
As plaintiffs continue to call companies out for healthwashing, they send a clear signal: consumers won’t stand for being misled. HexClad’s agreement to the $2.5 million nonstick pan settlement is proof that this message is reaching corporations loud and clear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
HexClad was sued for allegedly misrepresenting its cookware as “non-toxic,” “PFAS-free,” and “PFOA-free.” In reality, the pots and pans were coated in PTFE, a type of PFAS.
PTFE is commonly used in nonstick cookware and is more frequently called by its brand name, Teflon. It is a type of PFAS, a toxic “forever chemical” known to persist in the environment and cause serious health effects in humans. Some experts believe people can receive harmful levels of exposure by using PTFE-coated cookware.
Individuals who purchased qualifying HexClad pots and pans in the USA between February 1, 2022, and March 31, 2024, may qualify for a HexClad hybrid cookware refund.
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