Your Black Plastic Kitchen Utensils Could Be Harming Your Health—Here’s What To Use Instead

In a recent study published by Chemosphere, researchers found evidence of toxic flame retardants from recycled electronic devices in our black plastic kitchen gear. These harmful chemicals could be leaching into our bodies through food storage containers and utensils, suggesting that while the cost of cooking with plastic tools is nominal at the outset, it’s likely to be detrimental over time.

Flame retardants in kitchen utensils “can contaminate the food we eat and cook—increasing the risk of direct exposure,” says Nicole Sparks, MS, PhD from the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of California, Irivine. “Because these chemicals don’t break down easily, they can build up in the body for years,” potentially leading to “adverse health effects.” 

Since these chemicals are built into our electronics to reduce the risk of fire from overheating, it’s nearly impossible to completely eliminate our contact with them. That said, Dr. Sparks suggests limiting our exposure wherever and whenever possible—and one easy place to start is in the kitchen. Beyond avoiding products with BPAs, Teflon, phthalates and nonstick coatings, she always recommends using wooden or stainless steel utensils in place of black plastic. 

In light of this information, we rounded up eight nontoxic spoons, utensil sets, tongs, spatulas and more, starting at just $8 at Amazon. 

Best Stainless Steel and Wooden Kitchen Gear at Amazon

• Cuisinart Stainless Steel Skimmer, $11 
• OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Wooden Utensil Set, $17 
• Walfos 3-Pack of Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs, $11, was $15 
• Anmarko Stainless Steel Spatula Set , $28, was $32
• Viking Culinary Stainless Steel 8-Piece Kitchen Utensil Set, $100, was $120
• Earlywood 3-Piece Wood Kitchen Utensil Set, $40 
• Winco Stainless Steel 8-Ounce Ladle, $8
• Lipper International Acacia Salad Hands, $13

Cuisinart Stainless Steel Skimmer 

When an $11 spoon from a trusted brand like Cuisinart has more than 3,200 perfect ratings at Amazon, we take note. This stainless steel marvel can remove al dente ravioli from boiling water just as easily as it can separate egg yolks from egg whites or skim fat from the surface of a homemade stock. Shoppers love this all-purpose tool, calling it a “very functional work of art.”          

OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Wooden Utensil Set 

OXO has once again earned the trust of thousands of customers with its set of three wooden kitchen utensils. Made of solid beechwood with a natural oil finish for longevity, the turner and two spoons (slotted and solid) can tackle almost any cooking project you send their way. If you wash them by hand, they should last you a long time. 

Walfos 3-Pack of Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs 

Of all kitchen utensils, tongs are arguably the most useful since they can toss, flip, grab, lift and serve food. This pack of entirely stainless steel tongs features three lengths (7, 9, and 12 inches) with locking mechanisms for easy storage. They’re also dishwasher-safe and on sale at Amazon for a limited time.  

Anmarko Stainless Steel Spatula Set 

Every cook needs a robust stock of spatulas, and this set of three in different sizes and widths comes highly recommended by more than 2,100 shoppers. They’re made of stainless steel and wood, meaning they’re durable, nonreactive and worth the now-$7 apiece investment since the set also includes a bench scraper with markings for easy measuring. 

Viking Culinary Stainless Steel 8-Piece Kitchen Utensil Set

If you’re looking to replace all of your black plastic kitchen utensils with nontoxic stainless steel models, look no further than this elegant Viking set. Its eight pieces—including solid and slotted spoons, slotted and solid spatulas, a pasta fork, a ladle, a meat fork and a skimmer—ensure that you’ll be able to cook efficiently, effectively and safely. While it's the most expensive option on this list, one reviewer wrote that it’s “worth the money,” adding that the utensils are “well made” and will “last a long time.”     

Earlywood 3-Piece Wood Kitchen Utensil Set 

Earlywood’s spatulas are EatingWell favorites thanks to their simple and versatile design. Due to their tapered ends and flat construction, they can be used as tongs, spatulas, spoons, bench scrapers and more, all while taking up very little space in your drawers. And since the brand is committed to the health of people and the planet, it donates $1 to replant rainforests for every order placed.  

Winco Stainless Steel 8-Ounce Ladle

It’s hard to compete with Amazon’s No. 1 bestselling stainless steel ladle since it only costs $8, is dishwasher-safe and comes recommended by more than 4,500 shoppers. Best of all, you can hang it from a rack thanks to its bent tip or store it upside down in a utensil crock—it’s up to you. While it comes in a range of sizes, we recommend splurging for the 8-ounce model since soup season will be here before you know it.

Lipper International Acacia Salad Hands  

Salad hands are the fun and functional serving spoons you didn’t know you needed. Not only are they smaller than their long-handled counterparts, but they’re also more practical since they’re easier to control. Shoppers use them to toss salads and serve large pieces of meat, calling them “perfect for entertaining or everyday use.”