Are Matfer carbon steel pans being recalled? 

Update: I have not talked to Matfer today and now expect the call tomorrow. In the meantime, below are 22 questions I emailed to them. Some are mine and some are from you guys. If you can think of anything to add to the list, please respond under this post and I'll see what I can do. I told them whatever information they give me I will get out to everyone ASAP., and they have been invited to join USK for a video or response if they want. It's important to note that on their website they state they stand behind the safety of their pans. But it's still a developing story and more info to come. Here are the questions (so far): Questions for Matfer: 1. Are the pans safe to use and cook in? 2. Are the pans sold in the USA and/or Canada the same as the ones recalled in France? Is the lack of a recall in the USA and Canada just because our regulations are more lax than French regulations, or are there differences in the pans and metal? People want to know why the pans are dangerous and shouldn’t be used in France but are OK and not recalled in North America. 3. Have there been any negative health effects reported from using the pans? 4. For the recalled pans, how much cooking would be required to generate negative health effects? Is cooking once dangerous? 5. If someone in the USA/Canada has a pan that would have been recalled in France and is now afraid to use it, even though not officially recalled, what should they do? Can they get a refund or exchange? 6. Your FAQ says the pans were tested “as sold” and unseasoned. Were they tested after seasoning and if so how did it affect test results? Along those lines, should people add more layers of seasoning to their pans to be safe? Are more heavily seasoned pans safer than lightly seasoned pans? 7. For the French regulations, are these new regulations/how long have they been in place? Did something change or become more strict recently? 8. How far out of tolerance are the pans? How bad is the toxicity problem? 9. The FAQs say there is an “interpretation” of the regulations. Can you expand on this? Has this always been the case or did something change? Do you think the regulators will rescind the recall order? 10. With the iron, chromium, and arsenic, are these elements present in all carbon steel or was this a particularly contaminated batch of raw material? If they are present in all carbon steel, were they just out of tolerance in this batch? Or have other carbon steels not been tested? 11. Is the French testing done at random or are all batches and manufacturers tested? As in, was it luck of the draw that this batch was discovered or are all pans and manufacturers tested and the testing identified the one bad batch? 12. Where does the metal come from? Is the steel itself made in France or does it come in from abroad? 13. Were the pans sold previous to the recalled batches tested and are they safe to use? Someone write in saying they have a Matfer pan from 2020… were these tested and passed? 14. Is there more leeching of the elements based on cooking time and specific foods (acidic or fatty, etc.)? Are there any recommendations for foods to avoid? 15. Do you think this is a wider problem with all carbon steel from many manufacturers or a more specific problem to this production run? 16. Have the pans been tested by any US or Canadian regulators? 17. Is there any California Prop 65 warning with the pans? Have they been tested in California? 18. Some people are confused with the “black” carbon steel pans being silvery when they arrive and thinking the silver ones do not have the recall… can you clarify? 19. What levels of contamination were found in the affected batches? Is there a baseline and how do the affected batches compare to normal/baseline levels? 20. What procedures/changes are you making to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future? 21. How can you tell if you have a pan from the affected group? Can you update the situation with Amazon? 22. How often are Matfer pans tested? Is this the first recall? First time pans fail the tests?

I literally just purchased a Matfer on Amazon last week, and the batch and GTIN match the recalled ones. Just because US has different regulations, doesn't mean that the concern doesn't apply to US customers.

Scott, you might be interested to know the organization Lead Safe Mama does testing for various metals in consumer goods. As the name would suggest their primary focus is lead but they test for other elements too such as arsenic. If you wanted to send in one of your own Matfer pans, I think they would test it for you and then send it back. Might be an interesting little experiment. Just a thought.

What I get from this is we get the same pans as the French get but our government nannies don't care about the release of or have not tested for those chemicals.

Thanks for covering this. At a gut level, saying that seasoning fixes the problem is troubling, to say the least. Your question about how widespread this is beyond Matfer was the first one that popped into my mind. Looking forward to your follow up.

It sounds like they're saying "Yes, the pans sold in the USA are the same pans, made from the same steel, as the ones we're being forced to recall in France. However, it is our position that they are perfectly safe with an adequate layer of seasoning. And since we're not (yet) being forced by any regulatory body in the USA to recall these pans, we're not going to."

I'm putting a hold on the use of my Matter 12-5/8" pan until more clarity has been brought to this issue. The statements from Matter as of now do not instill a lot of confidence. Essentially they are saying the U.S. pans are made from the same material as the European pans which have been recalled...However, U.S. law does not require Matfer to issue a recall for pans sold in the U.S. so, continue using your pan. It would be interesting to find out if Canadian pans are being recalled. Thank goodness I have several Mineral B Pros to use while I wait for more clarity. Thank you Uncle Scott for bringing this to our attention.

Question for Matfer: Does Matfer test their metal for contaminants such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead? If so, how often do they test, and what did that analysis show? On Reddit carbonsteel, Oxenforge said they independently test each batch of metal used to make their cookware, and they published one of the certificates from their analysis.

I look forward to your follow up video with the response from Matfer! Cheers

I’m dissatisfied with the lawyered up response to this. Makes it seem like it’s going to get worse for them soon.

Thank you. Was going to buy one this week. Now I’ll let this play out. Would be shocked if the pans in the US are different. Also wonder is this is a carbon steel issue, not just Matfer.

Going back to Steel pans! All Clad ftw!

Thank you for the information, I have a Mafter carbon steel pan and use it often, I hope that it's safe.

Merci Tonton Scott !

Thank you for covering this! Many brought up the fact that lots of natural foods contain arsenic, but dosage matters guys. Even water can kill you in too high doses.

Thanks for the heads up Uncle Scott! Good stuff! It sounds like they're on the case.

Thanks for this, I’m in the UK and my pan has been recalled through Amazon. They’re going to issue a refund. Unfortunately the recall notice was exactly this one, in French, and I hadn’t gotten round to translating. Such a let down as I’d gotten into carbon steel to avoid toxic pans! Can’t win 😅

Matfer is playing a dangerous game by arguing semantics about the seasoning and recall in France vs. the United States. I want as little arsenic as possible in any material used to cook food for my family and will not rely on a thin layer of seasoning to prevent any leeching of that arsenic. Amazon, to their credit, issued a credit for my previous purchase price from my 2022 Matfer pan, and they gave me gift card credit after I placed an order for a De Buyer Mineral B replacement.

Thank you for covering this!

well i certainly hope this is just a very small issue...as these pans are wonderful having one myself...

Very thorough video!, asking great questions , but also seems to be putting users at ease , i have 2 USA bought matfer pans in 3-5 year range, I like that photo you posted mine look exactly like that at this point but i also use a electric stovetop and the darkening of the pans may not even get to that 5 year and beyond black point ?, they seem to get a darker color a lot a better and quicker with gas , just wanted to share my thoughts on that after seeing the photo …..

Hmm. I have one of the models in the recall notice, but I bought it in 2020 based on your reviews. I wonder if this has always been an issue and they only have tested 2022 and onwards. I don't use it a lot. I'll stay tuned for more info. But I find it unlikely that they make a different batch for sale in the US.

I had one of these and gave it away a couple months ago. 😂 I think mine was old enough to not be affected. But I also hated it. The only pan I had which would not hold seasoning.

I'm a subscribed and regular commenter of this channel. I have a Matfer carbon steel pan in amongst my kitchen arsenal. I'm in Australia and there is no news of any recall down here re: arsenic in pans, but in case you never hear from me again, you'll know that there was some truth to the claim 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Uncle Scott have you tried the US made Castaway pans yet? Sorry i know its not related to the Matfer recall.

I'm not gonna worry about it. First, there's a very small amount of arsenic in _all_ steel. Second, human beings actually develop a tolerance for trace amounts of0 arsenic over time, and I've used my pans for a couple years now. Third, there's enough polymer from all the oil and butter I've used that food no longer touches actual steel anyway. Fourth, yes, the EU is ludicrously overregulated. Eggs at 7AM sharp tomorrow as usual.

Was debating between this or a Darto…this pushed me toward the Darto.

Sounds to me like the problem is with the protective coating?

This is sad considering that carbon steel/cast iron users are mostly doing it to avoid the harmful chemicals in Teflon...we'll see how this goes

So, at this point what I heard was corporate/lawyer speak. Saying that they sold no pans in the US that are "subject to a recall" is a meaningless statement. They could have sold the EXACT same thing in the US and the only thing that statement means is the regulating body in the US hasn't issued a recall, I take that to be the FDA. I'm sure Matfer made those pans in a single location and shipped them wherever they're sold. That tends to be how it works unless shipping costs are too prohibitive, tariffs are too painful, etc...... Cars and expensive electronics for instance tend to be made in multiple places. From what I understand Matfer is a French company and they manufacture in France. In fact just checked on Amazon and the pans are made in France. So, if the recalls are for models sold in France they're probably also sold in the US and "black carbon" is in the product description for part of their pans sold on Amazon.

Because the USA has lower health standards Matfer stated they do NOT have to recall the pans under US law.

Scott, Only question that matters - “If I season and cook like Scott, am I in trouble?” PLEASE start a donation page for testing and use your pans and your cooking techniques to prepare food for testing! We want to know and I’m sure enough of us will pay for it to make it happen. We trust you. Please help. The FDA brought us the opioid crisis, they are not the group to follow. The only stat easily found on the web states that cast iron may provide up to 4 grams (4,000 milligrams of iron per meal). This is great if you have tons of micro-bleeds in your system (as we have had traditionally over human existence), but in a modern day world we don’t have those issues and this much iron can lead to real health problems.

I will continue to use my beloved Matfer until told otherwise.

Maybe I'll go back to Teflon! 😥

Funny, I just looked up the Matfer Bourgeat USA website and there's nothing at all about the recall--not even in the FAQ's. And I typed in "recall" in their site search and it came up with nothing. Below is their complete list of topics/questions in their FAQ section. FAQ Below is a list of our most common FAQ’s and answers. EXPAND ALL What Kind of Company is Matfer Bourgeat? Who Uses the Matfer Bourgeat catalog? Can I shop in the Matfer Bourgeat catalog? I’m a dealer, how do I set up credit and begin to purchase? I’m not a dealer and want to make a purchase. Can you assist me? What if I’m looking for something that’s not in the U.S. catalog? Does Matfer Bourgeat have a showroom or retail store? Are the prices in the catalog retail? Is there a minimum order? Do you charge sales tax? Are credit cards accepted? How quickly will my order be shipped?

I was just about to consider buying one a moment ago. I guess I might buy a Made In, instead

1. They only manufacture in one location, all the pans are the same. 2. Maybe a metals supplier supplied a slightly different compound for this batch, or maybe they have always had these qualities. 3. Poisoning is in the quantity, they are actually finding that once iron gets beyond the Goldy Locks levels it can have serious health implications!

Scott, pull out those nitride pans again.

still trust my matfer more than chemical nonstick coatings

What is the amount of arsenic detected? Here in the American Wast, arsenic is not rare. My city's water quality report shows arsenic level in the ground water is 5 PPB. I still trust a product made in the EU more than those made in China.

I got a refund through amazon in the US as well after a long chat. Mine was manufactured at the same time and I am taking no risks with my family. Time to find an alternative ... hello mineral b pro

Thanks Scott

Remember that most of duponts products arent available here in Europe (from Scotland so technically not EU.... but you get what I mean lol) because the chemicals that can come from the coatings. Yet the same.produxts are available in the US. A good movie about it all is called dark waters with Mark ruffalo.... brilliant movie! All about dupont poisoning west Virginia's water sources and people using their products

Where did the "possibly" come from in the recall notice? I'm reading the recall notice and it does not say it's possible. It says it DOES exceed the threshold. If you're going to make the point that you wanted an exact translation, please don't add words to the notice that aren't there, especially ones that downplay the risk.

When I bought my Matfers on Amazon, they were not black, they were silver, and needed to be scrubbed, cleaned, then seasoned…I think they are FINE..

Where is Matfer purchasing their steel? This is a quality control issue operating under pressure from sales and marketing to cut manufacturing costs. .

They (it seems, comes from "matferofficial" but can't be sure) posted a response on reddit that was really rather lackluster. They skipped mentioning arsenic whatsoever and it basically read as if it was amazons problem that recalled them and the governing agency that "dinged" them. They also state that they are making the pans "the same way, and with the same stringent quality control and top quality raw materials, as we have been". So if that is the case the arsenic has always been there, they just haven't been caught until now. The reply left a rather sour taste in my mouth. Seasoning isn't impervious and it can come and go. You can also have someone who doesn't know better cook some tomatoes in it. Those are real risks and if I have a choice of a carbon steel with or without arsenic I know what I'm choosing. For them to just wave it away as "it's fine and there is no fault on out side, people are just so darned nitpicky with arsenic" have at least made stay away from their pans in the future.

Is this only for the black carbon steel pans or are the silver color ones also affected?

Whew, thank goodness it isn't arsenic and old lace, then we'd really have a problem.

I’m new to carbon steel pans and just bought two Matfer pans from Amazon. Got the updated ones. What’s the difference between carbon steel pans and black carbon steel pans?

Arsenic will volatize off red hot steel. A super-nuc might solve the problem. Or how about cooking up a tomato and vinegar dish? Just don't eat any of it. This will likely extract and remove nasties that could end up in cooked food. I would think cast iron would present a much bigger risk than any steel pan since steel goes through a lot more high temperature processing. Bessemer, Oxygen-Lance and Open Hearth used to burn off excess carbon will certainly reduce arsenic too. Have any cast iron pans been tested in France?

lol the people who think that French pans are superior to Chinese made ones are hilarious - it’s all what specifications you ask of the manufacturer - it’s a pan it’s not an iPhone - oh wait the ones without QC quality for those are also made in China

Where does matfer source their steel from?are they imported from china and then “made in france”?

How would proper seasoning eliminate a pan from leaching arsenic? The seasoning is not a protective coating against heavy metals.

Right when I got my carbon steel super non stick and where I need it to be, this recall happens…. 😡

Is De Buyer using the same batch of steel for their pans?

Matfer needs to stop the minimizing. The are trying to downplay the "local" agency and delegitimize it. Do your pans have Arsenic or not Matfer? Stop playing games.

Arsenic has been found in the metal. Oy Vay!

Few issues with Matfer's statement: 1. What proof does Matfer have that a seasoned pan is not toxic? 2. Has Matfer passed an FDA test? Would they pass today? Have they just been getting lucky in the USA by not getting picked by the random sampling the FDA does? 3. What degree of toxicity was found in the non seasoned pans by the French authorities? How bad is it? 4. Why didn't customers know that a non-seasoned pan (and potentially even a seasoned pan) will expose you to arsenic? Does Matfer not do any of their own testing?

Much ado about nothing.

Apples and grapes contain arsenic. They should recall French wines.

Arsenic is present in many foods, a little won't hurt - chromium on the other hand is nasty mofo