According to “60 million consumers”, some silicone and Teflon cake pans can release toxic substances. Are cake pans dangerous? What precautions should be taken ?
Toxic substances in kitchen accessories are endlessly controversial. If we already know the risks of plastic and certain pans, “60 million consumers” points this time to cake molds, whether silicone or Teflon. According to the survey, which analyzed nine silicone molds and nine non-stick metal cake molds, some models would release undesirable substances if they come into contact with certain foods or simply during cooking. Its toxic substances and even volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can thus migrate into the food, in more or less significant quantities.
What precautions should be taken to avoid its toxic substances? 60 million consumers suggest first to check that the mold has the “certificate of conformity for suitability for contact with food”. Indeed, some molds release undesirable substances in contact with fatty foods (butter or oil at the bottom of the mold for example) or acids. It would also be preferable to avoid too high temperatures because heat promotes the migration of substances. Regarding metal molds, they would be less dangerous since the migration of substances occurs above all when the mold is damaged and has scratches. It is therefore better to change your cake molds at the first signs of wear to avoid any risk of transfer of aluminum or other metal into the food.
Among the models concerned by the test of 60 million consumers, the mold for 9 madeleines from Zodio (10 euros) and the mold for 9 madeleines from De Buyer (25 euros) stand out with the worst marks for silicone molds concerning the migration into a fatty body. Guy Degrenne, Carrefour Home and Ikea madeleine molds obtain the best results. As for metal moulds, the Bake me model from Gifi (7.90 euros) should be avoided due to the possible migration of undesirable substances in contact with a fatty or acidic substance and the release of metals on a used mould. The Bullar mold from Ikea (2 euros) wins the best performance.
