According to the agency, demand for the popular glass measuring cups became so great in 2020 during the pandemic that Instant Brands shifted production to China while continuing to market them as being manufactured in the U.S.
But as it turns out, the FTC says that some Pyrex glassware advertised as “proudly made in the USA” was actually made elsewhere. Apparently, their ability to meet the demand for certain bakeware sold on Amazon, more than 100,000 units, didn't measure up. So they shifted their manufacturing to China to keep up.
Pyrex is only real borosilicate glass if it has a capital P. If it says pyrex with a lower case p, it is soda glass. It WILL crack with temperature fluctuation.
While the Pyrex® brand was born right here in Corning, NY, it has been made in various places throughout its 100 year history. Currently, Corelle Brands manufactures Pyrex consumer products in Charleroi, PA., where Corning Glass Works first produced its opalware dishes beginning in the 1940s.
In reality, some glass measuring cups were imported from China. Instant Brands, the company that makes Pyrex glassware, agreed to a settlement that banned it from making false claims and required it to pay money. The FTC is now using the money to provide refunds to eligible Pyrex customers.
The FTC took action against Instant Brands in 2023 charging that the company claimed that all its popular glass measuring cups were made in the United States, despite some measuring cups actually being imported from China.
In March 2019, Corelle Brands, the makers of Pyrex in the United States, merged with Instant Brands, the makers of the Instant Pot. On June 12, 2023, Instant Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after high interest rates and waning access to credit hit its cash position and made its debts unsustainable.
In the U.S., modern Pyrex cookware is made from a type of tempered glass called soda lime glass, which isn't nearly as durable as the glass used in older pieces called borosilicate. Incredibly tough, borosilicate has one especially notable superpower: the ability to endure sudden shifts in temperature.
Pyrex used to be made of the more heat-resistant borosilicate glass, which is more resistant to breakage when subjected to extreme shifts in temperature. Pyrex eventually switched to tempered glass most likely because boron is toxic and expensive to dispose of.
Most of our Corelle dinnerware is made in the USA. All of the plates and bowls from the Livingware, Lifestyles, Impressions, Ultra and Corelle Square collections are made in the states. The mugs and glasses in our sets are made in China. Also, our Corelle Hearthstone dinnerware collection is made in China also.
The brand, Pyrex, has historically owned the trademark for little-p pyrex, but its parent company, Corning, has since sold it. Lowercase "pyrex" is produced by other cookware companies that don't use the heat-resistant borosilicate glass the original company does (more on that below).
It's tempered, meaning it's been heated and cooled in a manner that makes it more durable under future temperature fluctuations. It's less likely to break under an impact, and when it does, tempered glass breaks into diamond-like cubes instead of long, pointy shards, so it's a little safer to deal with.
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has deemed Pyrex as microwave safe. There are some things you need to know though! Pyrex is made of either borosilicate or soda lime glass and is heat resistant up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a good option for microwaving.
Glassware is widely used in food contact, but the release of elements can have potential adverse effects on consumers. Most countries, such as China and Canada, only stipulated the limits of Pb and Cd released from glassware.
Here's the lowdown on how Pyrex was born in Corning, NY, and is still made today in Charleroi, PA. In 1908, Corning Glass Works started making Nonex, a thermally resistant “non-expansion glass,” for railroad signal lanterns and other industrial applications.
If it's all caps “PYREX,” it's vintage, made of borosilicate. If it's lower case “pyrex,” it's new, and it's soda lime. (In Europe, Pyrex is still made of borosilicate. So these recommendations only apply to Pyrex in the United States.)
Because borosilicate is the most durable when it comes to withstanding temperature changes, it is generally considered the safest choice for glass bakeware.
Corelle Brands is home to iconic, category-leading brands, including Instant™, Corelle®, Pyrex®, Corningware®, Snapware® and Chicago Cutlery®. We're passionate about delivering products that facilitate the joy we find in cooking and sharing food with family and friends.
Patterned Pyrex—such as the 1956 Pink Daisy or the 1983 Colonial Mist colorways—tend to be valuable as a collector's item. Other popular patterns include the 1957 Butterprint, which features an Amish couple and their crops, and has been valued at a few hundred dollars.
Does Corning still sell cookware? No, Corning ceased manufacturing cookware in 1998. The PYREX brand now primarily focuses on producing laboratory glassware and related products.
they both withstand temp. up to 450 deg. borosilicate was stronger but to expensive to continue using it. there is no differance in anchor or pyrex they are exactly the same glass soda lime glass.
So, why did Pyrex make the change all those years ago? Two primary causes: increased air pollution regulations and a focus on reducing energy consumption. Soda lime glass is better for the environment, requires less energy to produce, and is more easily recyclable—making it the preferable choice.
“Tightening of credit terms and higher interest rates impacted our liquidity levels and made our capital structure unsustainable,” Gadbois said in a prepared statement Monday.
By early 2021, the company alleges that its U.S. factories could not supply enough product, and so they turned to China to manufacture Pyrex measuring cups from March 2021 to May 2022. These Chinese-made Pyrex measuring cups were then sold on Amazon.com.