food safe from non stick pans?

[Stacey32]

Hello,
I cook for two birds (that do not live with me). I know that non stick cookware is dangerous to use with birds in the house. However, is the food cooked in it safe? They obviously wouldn't be getting the fumes since they are not in my house, but would be getting the food from the pan.

Thanks
stacey

[Monica]

We use an array of nonstick pans (though have been told that they are not teflon coated... so I wouldn't know if indeed they are dangerous or not). If dinner's cooked early enough the birds may get some of the food (depending on what it is, of course). So far I haven't had any problems...

[Lori L]

Originally Posted by Monica

We use an array of nonstick pans (though have been told that they are not teflon coated... so I wouldn't know if indeed they are dangerous or not). If dinner's cooked early enough the birds may get some of the food (depending on what it is, of course). So far I haven't had any problems...

Agghh AGAIN I will say this, TEFLON is a brand name, the way Q-tips are the brand name for cotton swabs. Just because it does not say TEFLON does not mean it does not contain PTFE which is the substance that is used in non-stick cookware and other things like heating pads, hair dryers etc. See below:

WHAT IS Teflon ®?
Teflon ® is a registered trademark of DuPont and is used in relation to products manufactured with Dupont’s fluoropolymer resins.

What is PTFE?
PTFE stands for PolyTetraFluoroEthylene, which is the chemical term
for the polymer (CF2)n.

[Monica]

I've read that before, and I checked where they came from, but no mention of either things...


Okay then, I guess my question is, is anodized aluminum safe? It goes by either "hard" anodized aluminum or "infused" anodized aluminum.... I haven't seen anywhere mentioned on sites anything about Teflon, PTFE, or even (Cf2)n...... just anodized aluminum with stainless steel lids and stainless steel handles....

[jimpierce7]

I undersand that not all facial tissue is "kleezex" but they all look like kleenex....is this true with PTFE? Do you by chance know any of the other names it may go by? I am a cast iron and stainless steel cookware kinda guy myself but I am curious????

[Lori L]

Originally Posted by jimpierce7

I undersand that not all facial tissue is "kleezex" but they all look like kleenex....is this true with PTFE? Do you by chance know any of the other names it may go by? I am a cast iron and stainless steel cookware kinda guy myself but I am curious????

I do not know what "other" names it would go by. Actually what you are asking is what other BRANDS it would go by. I wouldn't worry about brands I would ask the manufacturer of said pot or man if it containus PTFE

[Monica]

Well, I just did a bit of research and anodized aluminum appears safe, at least as it was said by someone who sells cookware. I know that using aluminum to cook with can be dangerous (especially if it's in the oven... alzheimers comes to mind...) but the anodized stuff is said to be pretty safe...

You should do the research. I had to cause I used to sell cookware. I have seen no research showing dangers from anodized aluminum. Tests show that little to no leeching occurs once the aluminum is anodized. In fact, chances are, if you take antacids, you are getting something like 1000mg of AL, as opposed to maybe 3.5 mg from using aluminum cookware. Fact is, aluminum is one of the most naturally occuring metals on this planet. I could give you the links, but it takes no time at all to find studies that show that anodized aluminum is inert. Try finding studies that show that it is hazardous. I haven't found any. And don't think people aren't looking. With all the scare about Alzeimers, aluminum is undergoing close scrutiny from many directions. Still, anodized aluminum has passed tests so far, and is a very easy-to-clean, light-weight alternative to stainless steel and cast-iron. I'm not trying to say people should get it, but demonizing it just because its aluminum is not necessary. As of yet, the judges are still out as to whether or not aluminum itself is even bad for you, or if its a reactive quality of aluminum with other environmental factors. Really, chances are you're getting more lead in your water than you'll get aluminum from your cookware.

Again, Dupont is being brought up on charges for concealing evidence as to the toxicity of teflon. However, even with all the studies and eyes on anodized aluminum, nothing notable suggests any health risk associated with it. It is, for all scientifically measurable purposes, inert.

Calphalon has come out with a new technology called Infused Anodized Aluminum. It has some of the non-stick functionality of teflon, but is a solid piece of anodized aluminum and is not a spray on adhesive toxin. Of course, new evidence might show that this is bad stuff too, but from what I understand of the chemistry (little I'm afraid) there shouldn't be a problem.

This was part of a thread that started Dec 28, 05, and continued on until Jan 16, 06, from what I can tell...

[Monica]

Oh and it also appears as if there are parrot toys, quick links, and pear links that are made out of anodized aluminum... and these normally tend to be colored...

This site for example...

http://www.all4birds.com/parts4.htm

[Rue]

...well, just an aside...we tend to use a lot of brand names to identify products...

Teflon = no-stick coating
Kleenex = facial tissue
Xerox = photocopy
Aspirin = ASA
Levis= blue jeans/denim
Coke = any pop/soda
Play-Doh = malleable flour paste
Tums/Rolaids=antacid
iPod=mp3 player
...etc.,

I don't think we're going to eliminate this trend in our day-day conversations...

[Lori L]

Originally Posted by Rue

...well, just an aside...we tend to use a lot of brand names to identify products...

Teflon = no-stick coating
Kleenex = facial tissue
Xerox = photocopy
Aspirin = ASA
Levis= blue jeans/denim
Coke = any pop/soda
Play-Doh = malleable flour paste
Tums/Rolaids=antacid
iPod=mp3 player
...etc.,

I don't think we're going to eliminate this trend in our day-day conversations...

Correct BUT my concern is that if people use the terminology "Teflon" and stay away from anything that says "Teflon" then they are endangering they're birds but purchasing non-Teflon items but ones that still contain PTFE. No one is going to die from getting Kleenex or Q-tip mixed up with facial tissue and cotton swab. Birds could die if someone thinks that my not buying the Dupont product "Teflon" they are keeping their birds safe