Teflon is DuPont Company’s registered trademark for a material, sold as Teflon, used to make cookware coatings, and can be found on many pots and pans today.
The chemical name for the commonly known Teflon is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). DuPont developed the material in 1938.
In 1954 Teflon was introduced to the market in a heat-resistant nonstick coating that allowed it to be used for cooking and baking. It was registered as a trademark in the US that same year.
Since its invention, Teflon has been applied to other products such as hairdryers and ironing board covers, but it’s most known for use on cookware like frying pans, oven-safe dishes, and bakeware.
Unlike PFOA and PTFO, the chemical PTFE is inert, so it’s considered safe. In fact, the FDA has approved its use on cookware in 1959 and allows food to be cooked on Teflon up to temperatures of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.