Kitchen

[grandma2pkmh]

With the reports coming out that black cooking utensils probably have toxic materials in them, has anyone replaced theirs.  i bought new ones today from Amazon.  My problem is I have a few that are really old and not made anymore but I love and use almost daily.  Do I just take a chance and keep them?  Heck at my age (77) does it really matter.

[patbz]

I think you are talking about non stick. I'm 80 and I wouldn't worry too much.

[KailaS]

I am your age. At this point, keep them-- especially if you like them. 

[Sooner]

I threw them out 2 days ago--some from an All-Clad set and a couple unknowns.  I just don't see a point in worrying about them so out they go. 

[lcubedsudbury]

One more thing to worry about.

[shoesnbags]

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@patbz wrote:

I think you are talking about non stick. I'm 80 and I wouldn't worry too much.

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@patbz 

No, this has nothing to do with non stick surfaces (Teflon, etc.)  This is the black plastic spoons, pancake turners, etc. that are sold everywhere to use in all non stick pans, including the newer supposedly non toxic surfaces.  The plastic that the black utensils are made of includes recycled plastic that is toxic when exposed to heat.  Silicone utensils are safe.

@grandma2pkmh 

I tossed the 3 pieces I had - a pancake turner, a ladle and a ground meat chopper.  I've ordered 2 replacements made of silicone from Amazon and will probably replace the 3rd eventually. 

[shoesnbags]

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@KailaS wrote:

I am your age. At this point, keep them-- especially if you like them. 

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@KailaS @patbz I'm old, too, and I understand what you're saying.  I feel this way about a lot of things, too.  Like, I've lived 75 years so what difference does it make?  But this was an easy thing to replace, so I did. 

[PinkyPetunia]

This is the first time I'm hearing about black plastic utensils.  I have only one, a favorite spoon for stirring chili and pasta sauce.  Will keep an eye open to replace it.

[shoesnbags]

This is from Taste of Home, but if you google there are many, many recent articles about this.

Simply put, yes, black plastic cooking utensils are dangerous.

Manufacturers add brominated flame retardants to many home electronics like TVs and computers to reduce the risk of overheated devices exploding or catching fire. Many of these substances have proven to be highly toxic and have been officially phased out. Unfortunately, devices containing the banned flame retardants can linger in our homes for years, and when they get recycled, the toxic plastic can be mixed with food-grade plastic to create things like takeout trays, cooking utensils and children’s toys.

Because black plastic is sourced from electronic scrap, it’s the most likely to contain toxic flame retardants.

[PA Mom-mom]

@grandma2pkmh  I agree with the others who say we're probably too old to worry about those additives. Something else is sure to get us first. Hahaha!