Non-stick pans are being used in every household these days. This makes cooking easier as they require less oil and are also easy to clean. However, it cannot be denied that these pans prevent food from sticking. In such a situation, its popularity is increasing rapidly among the people. But do you know that the non-stick utensils that you are using to stay healthy can also make you a victim of serious diseases. You must have also heard many times that cooking in a non-stick pan increases the risk of cancer. Today we are going to tell you how a non-stick pan is made, does its use really harm health, so let's know everything-

Actually, non-stick pans have a special type of coating, which is called Teflon. Teflon is made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It was first used in cookware in the 1950s. This coating makes the pan smooth so that food does not stick. Let us tell you that Teflon itself is not toxic, but the problem occurs when it is heated too much.

Concerns about using non-stick pans

If you heat a non-stick pan to a temperature higher than 260°C, it can release harmful chemicals such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOA is a chemical whose long-term use has been linked to cancer and other health problems. In fact, there have been concerns about the use of non-stick pans for years.

Today PFOA is not being used in non-stick utensils

Nowadays, most companies do not use PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) in their non-stick utensils. But if we talk about old utensils, they may still contain PFOA. So whenever you buy non-stick utensils, make sure whether your utensil is PFOA-free or not. Due to the properties of PFOA, it is often used to make products that are designed to survive heat, water, grease and stickiness.

How to use non-stick pan safely

• Cook food at low temperature-  Do not keep the non-stick pan on high flame. Cook food on medium flame so that the Teflon coating remains safe.
• Protect the pan from scratches-  Never use metal utensils in a non-stick pan. This can damage the coating of the pan, which can be harmful.
• Do not cook in an old pan-  If the coating of the pan has started coming off or there are scratches on it, then replace it. If you cook in it, it can harm your health.

Do non-stick pans pose a cancer risk?

Scientists' research shows that eating food cooked in a non-stick pan causes cancer only when it is used incorrectly. If it is heated at high temperature or an old pan is used, then harm is definitely possible. But if used correctly, the risk is greatly reduced. Using a non-stick pan is absolutely safe, provided you use it correctly. Always cook on low flame, replace the pan if the coating is damaged and buy only PFOA-free products.