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Golden September: products for the transition from summer to autumn
by Stephan Lamprecht
Dangerous toxins found in many kitchen utensils
28.10.2024
Translation: Elicia Payne
A study shows that in the USA many everyday products made of black plastic contain toxic flame retardants. These harmful chemicals presumably come from recycled electronic waste. This is how you can avoid health risks from black plastic.
This article was edited on 16 January 2025 and updated with current information.
The results of the products from the USA don't correspond with Europe due to different recycling regulations and specifications for the use of recycled materials. Stiftung Warentest bought and tested 26 spatulas in Germany and found no harmful bromine. You can find out more here:
From electronic waste to your household – how poison gets into spatulas
The researchers suspect that the toxins come from recycled electronic waste. Many electronic devices contain flame retardants in their plastic casing. When these appliances aren’t recycled correctly, the toxic chemicals can end up in new products – even those that don’t need flame retardants.
So there’s plenty of evidence to justify us banishing these potential poison spreaders from our households. This is because kitchen utensils in particular can transfer harmful substances into the food during cooking. However, there’s no reason to panic here. In Europe, both stricter recycling requirements and stricter regulations apply to materials that come into contact with food.
Pay attention to quality. Buy products from reputable manufacturers who can prove the safety of their products. Some companies are committed to banning harmful flame retardants from their products.
Stricter regulations needed for more consumer protection
Researchers are calling for stricter regulations and more transparency in the supply chain. They stress that dangerous flame retardant additives should be eliminated and replaced with safer materials. They’re also calling for better supervision of the recycling process to stop toxic substances ending up in everyday products.
Header image: Butus/Shutterstock
Anna Sandner
Senior Editor
Anna.Sandner@galaxus.deScience editor and biologist. I love animals and am fascinated by plants, their abilities and everything you can do with them. That's why my favourite place is always the outdoors - somewhere in nature, preferably in my wild garden.
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