California tried to ban the use of forever chemicals in cookware. Here’s why it failed
Nonstick cookware is in the middle of a political and celebrity-driven battle over “forever chemicals” — and California nearly joined a growing list of states trying to phase them out.
The debate centers on PFAS, a massive family of chemicals used in everything from food packaging to stain-resistant fabrics and nonstick cookware. Critics argue the chemicals build up in the environment and human body over time, while supporters say modern nonstick pans are safe when used correctly.
MORE INFO: How to choose the best non-toxic ceramic cookware for every type of cooking you do
In 2025, California lawmakers tried to ban products containing “intentionally added” PFAS through Senate Bill 682. But despite growing concern over forever chemicals, the bill ultimately failed.
California’s near ban on forever chemicals, explained
California lawmakers approved Senate Bill 682 in September 2025. The proposal would have banned the sale or distribution of products containing intentionally added PFAS by 2030, affecting everything from floss and cleaning products to food packaging and nonstick cookware.
The legislation was part of a larger push against forever chemicals across the country. During the 2025 legislative session, nearly 350 bills addressing PFAS were considered in 39 states, per Multistate.
Environmental advocates hoped California would become the next major state to act.
Why Senate Bill 682 failed
Despite clearing the California State Legislature, the bill never became law.
Governor Gavin Newsom returned the legislation without his signature in October 2025, citing concerns about how quickly the state would have to move away from PFAS-based products.
“The broad range of products that would be impacted by this bill would result in a sizable and rapid shift in cooking products available to Californians,” Newsom wrote in a letter to the California State Senate.
He also warned that the change could make cookware less affordable for consumers.
“While this bill is well-intentioned, I am deeply concerned about the impact this bill would have on the availability of affordable options in cooking products,” he added.
Affordability became one of the biggest obstacles with the bill. While ceramic, cast iron and stainless steel cookware are often promoted as alternatives to PFAS-based nonstick cookware, many consumers find them more expensive, heavier or harder to cook with.
Celebrity chef support vs. Hollywood criticism
The legislation also ignited a public fight involving celebrity chefs and actors.
Rachael Ray, David Chang and Thomas Keller all opposed the proposal because their cookware lines rely on PTFE-based nonstick coatings.
“As someone who’s spent her life fighting for better food, better choices, and better health — especially for kids and families — I respectfully ask you to vote against this proposed ban,” Ray wrote, according to The New York Times.
Chang defended PTFE cookware by arguing the material has a long history of safe use.
“PTFE, when manufactured and used responsibly, has been proven safe and effective in both professional and home kitchens for more than half a century,” Chang wrote, according to CNN.
But critics of forever chemicals pushed back immediately.
Actor Mark Ruffalo — who starred in the PFAS-focused legal drama Dark Waters — publicly criticized Ray for defending PFAS cookware.
“Rachael, I share your commitment to make people confident in the kitchen,” Ruffalo wrote on X. “Getting toxic chemicals like PFAS out of our cookware is just as important as choosing the right recipe.”
Are forever chemicals actually dangerous?
Forever chemicals, also known as PFAS, are synthetic chemicals designed to resist heat, grease and water. Scientists estimate there are more than 14,000 PFAS compounds.
Two of the most studied chemicals — PFOA and PFOS — were phased out in the U.S. after research linked them to health problems including cancer, fertility issues and hormone disruption.
PTFE, however, remains widely used in nonstick cookware and is generally considered safe during normal cooking conditions.
The biggest concerns start when pans overheat above roughly 500 degrees Fahrenheit or when coatings become scratched and damaged. One 2022 study found broken nonstick coatings may release millions of microplastic and nanoplastic particles.
Still, many experts argue the larger problem involves PFAS pollution during manufacturing rather than everyday cooking itself.
“There is all this contamination that we need to clean up, and that’s going to take a while,” Harvard environmental chemist Elsie M. Sunderland told The New York Times. “We can turn off the tap on this problem. That’s what we can do right away.”
California attempted to “turn off the tap” through Senate Bill 682, but the proposal failed under pressure from affordability concerns, industry opposition and an ongoing debate over whether modern nonstick cookware poses enough risk to justify a statewide ban.
