07 Safety and careAnswer
Air Fryer Nonstick Coatings and PFAS: What FDA and EPA Say
What the FDA and EPA actually say about PFAS in nonstick coatings and food packaging, what air fryer makers state about their baskets, and your options.
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Spec sheet04
- FDA on nonstick coatings
- FDA: only negligible amounts of PFAS in the coating can migrate to food
- Grease-proofing PFAS
- No longer sold for U.S. food contact use (FDA, February 2024)
- 35 FCNs
- Declared no longer effective by FDA in January 2025
- EPA PFOA Stewardship
- Launched 2006 with eight companies; goal to eliminate PFOA by 2015
The FDA authorizes certain PFAS for nonstick coatings on cookware. It says the coating is bonded to the surface at high temperature and that only negligible amounts of PFAS can migrate to food. The PFAS use the FDA acted on was grease-proofing in paper packaging, which is no longer sold for U.S. food contact.
What are PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The FDA describes them as “a very broad group of chemicals, and they act differently under different uses.” That is why they appear in products as different as stain-resistant clothing, firefighting foam and some food contact materials.
The key point in the FDA’s material is that “PFAS” is not one substance with one risk profile. The agency treats each use separately.
Which food contact uses does the FDA authorize?
The FDA lists four authorized categories of PFAS in food contact applications:
- Nonstick coating applications
- Sealing gaskets for food processing equipment
- Manufacturing aids
- Grease-proofing agents for paper food packaging
The first three are still authorized. The fourth is the one the FDA has phased out, covered below.
What the FDA says about nonstick coatings
On nonstick cookware, the FDA explains the process this way: PFAS molecules “are polymerized (i.e., joined together to form large molecules) and are then applied to the surface of the cookware at very high temperatures, which tightly binds the polymer coating to the cookware.”
It continues: “The manufacturing process vaporizes off virtually all the smaller (i.e., migratable) PFAS molecules. The result is a highly polymerized coating bound to the surface of the cookware. Studies show negligible amounts of PFAS in this coating can migrate to food.”
The FDA pages discuss cookware in general and do not mention air fryers by name.
What the FDA phased out: grease-proofing in packaging
The FDA’s actions centered on PFAS used to stop grease soaking through paper and paperboard packaging. The timeline, from the FDA:
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| November 2016 | Long-chain PFAS no longer used in food contact applications sold in the U.S. |
| July 2020 | Three manufacturers agree to a voluntary 3-year phase-out, starting January 2021, of grease-proofers containing 6:2 FTOH |
| February 2024 | FDA announces PFAS grease-proofing agents are no longer being sold for U.S. food contact use |
| January 2025 | FDA declares 35 grease-proofing food contact notifications no longer effective, as makers had stopped production, supply or use |
| June 30, 2025 | Compliance date for paper packaging produced, supplied or used before January 6, 2025 |
These actions applied to grease-proofing substances in packaging, not to nonstick cookware coatings.
What the EPA PFOA Stewardship Program did
PFOA is one specific PFAS. In January 2006, the EPA launched the PFOA Stewardship Program with eight major companies: Arkema, Asahi, BASF Corporation, Clariant, Daikin, 3M/Dyneon, DuPont and Solvay Solexis.
The companies committed to reduce PFOA from facility emissions and product content by 95 percent no later than 2010, and to work toward eliminating it by 2015. The EPA says: “All participating companies state that they met the PFOA Stewardship Program goals.” Most did so by stopping the manufacture and import of long-chain PFAS or by moving to alternatives.
This is useful context for “PFOA-free” labels. PFOA is one chemical, while PFAS is the broad group the FDA describes.
What air fryer makers say about their coatings
Makers describe their baskets differently, and not all name the material.
- Ninja AF100 series: the owner’s guide calls the basket and crisper plate “ceramic-coated.”
- Ninja Crispi Pro: containers are borosilicate glass; crisper plates are “aluminum with a nano-ceramic coating,” which Ninja calls PFAS free. Ninja says all food contact surfaces are designed without PFAS and PTFE.
- Cosori Pro LE: the manual says the basket and crisper plate are aluminum “with nonstick coating,” without naming the coating material.
If the coating matters to you, look for the maker’s stated material for every part food touches, including the crisper plate. Our glass air fryers guide compares glass models on published specs.
Glass air fryers with published material specs
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Browse current glass air fryers on eBay, new, open-box or refurbished only.
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Keeping any coating in good condition
Whatever the coating, makers give the same basic care advice. Cosori says to avoid metal utensils and abrasive cleaning materials on its nonstick basket. Ninja’s AF100 guide says not to clean with abrasive cleaners, steel wool or scouring pads. Our air fryer cleaning guide covers what to do if a coating starts to peel, and basket replacement explains how to find the right part.
Some people add a liner between food and basket. If you do, follow the rules in our air fryer liners guide: food on top, and leave room for airflow.
Reusable silicone air fryer liners
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Browse current silicone air fryer liners on eBay, new condition only.
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More add-ons are in our air fryer accessories guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does the FDA allow PFAS in nonstick cookware?
Yes. The FDA lists nonstick coatings among its authorized food contact uses of PFAS. It says the coating is polymerized and bonded to the cookware at very high temperatures, and that only negligible amounts of PFAS in the coating can migrate to food.
What did the FDA phase out?
PFAS used as grease-proofing agents on paper and paperboard food packaging. In February 2024 the FDA announced these were no longer being sold for U.S. food contact use, and in January 2025 it declared 35 related food contact notifications no longer effective.
What was the EPA PFOA Stewardship Program?
A voluntary program launched in January 2006 with eight major companies. They committed to cut PFOA from facility emissions and product content by 95 percent by 2010 and to work toward eliminating it by 2015. EPA says all participants state they met the goals.
Does the FDA say anything specific about air fryers?
The FDA pages covered here discuss nonstick cookware coatings, gaskets, manufacturing aids and food packaging. They do not single out air fryers. Air fryer makers describe their own basket coatings in their manuals and support pages.
How do I avoid nonstick coatings in an air fryer?
Look at what touches food. Glass models such as the Ninja Crispi Pro use glass containers, though Ninja's crisper plates carry a nano-ceramic coating it describes as PFAS free. Check each maker's stated materials for the basket, plate and tray.
Sources
- Authorized Uses of PFAS in Food Contact ApplicationsU.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Questions and Answers on PFAS in FoodU.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Market Phase-Out of Grease-Proofing Substances Containing PFASU.S. Food and Drug Administration
- FDA Determines Authorization for 35 Food Contact Notifications Related to PFAS Are No Longer EffectiveU.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Fact Sheet: 2010/2015 PFOA Stewardship ProgramU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- AS100 Series Ninja Crispi Pro 6 in 1 Countertop Glass Air Fryer: FAQsSharkNinja
- Ninja Air Fryer AF100 Series Owner's GuideSharkNinja (hosted by LINCC)
- Pro LE 5.0-Quart Air Fryer User Manual (CAF-L501-KUS)Cosori
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