A new bill in California is creating a lot of buzz—and confusion. Some headlines are claiming the state wants to ban nonstick pans and even some common kitchen appliances. So, what’s really going on?
The bill in question is Senate Bill 682, and it’s not just about cookware. It’s about banning a group of chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are man-made chemicals that are often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down easily in the environment or in the human body. Once they’re out there, they tend to stick around.
PFAS are used in a variety of products, including nonstick pots and pans, some cleaning supplies, food packaging, and even dental floss. Lawmakers in California say these chemicals can be harmful to people and the planet. Supporters of the bill say PFAS are tied to serious health problems like cancer, liver disease, hormone issues, and trouble with the immune system.
Senator Ben Allen, a Democrat from Pacific Palisades, is the main author of the bill. He says PFAS are contributing to a public health crisis that can be avoided. “It’s clear we need to be taking stronger steps to regulate and minimize the use of these forever chemicals,” he posted online.
If the bill becomes law, it would ban the sale of many everyday items containing any intentionally added PFAS in California, starting in 2028. That includes nonstick cookware, cleaning products, food packaging, dental floss, and even ski wax. Then, in 2040, the law would expand to cover certain commercial and industrial products, unless the state finds that PFAS use is absolutely necessary.
Environmental groups are strongly backing the bill. Organizations like the Environmental Working Group and Clean Water Action argue that these chemicals are already in our water, soil, and even in people’s blood. They say banning PFAS in common consumer goods is a smart and necessary move.
But not everyone agrees.
The Cookware Sustainability Alliance, a group that includes major cookware companies, is pushing back hard. They argue that not all PFAS are the same and that some, like fluoropolymers used in nonstick coatings, are safe. These coatings are even used in medical devices like pacemakers and catheters, they say.
The group points out that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Food Safety Authority have approved certain fluoropolymers for food use. They say these types of PFAS don’t dissolve in water, don’t build up in the body, and aren’t harmful when used correctly.
“The proposal risks taking safe, affordable, and reliable kitchen essentials off the shelves,” said Steve Burns, president of the alliance. “It would drive up prices, kill jobs, and create more waste as people toss out perfectly good cookware.”
Critics also warn that the ban could leave restaurants and families with fewer options and higher costs. Some fear that if the law passes, Californians might be forced to switch to cookware that doesn’t last as long or doesn’t work as well.
So, is California really banning nonstick pans? The answer is yes—but only the ones made with PFAS. And not right away. The ban wouldn’t start until 2028, and it would give manufacturers time to find safer alternatives.
This isn’t the first time California has taken action on PFAS. The state has already banned these chemicals in some cosmetics, firefighting foam, and children’s products. SB 682 would take those efforts even further.
In the end, this is a debate about safety, science, and choice. Lawmakers say they’re trying to protect health and the environment. Industry leaders say the bill goes too far and could hurt people’s wallets and jobs.
The final vote is expected soon. Whether the bill passes or not, one thing is clear: the conversation about PFAS—and the products we use every day—is far from over.