- The FDA cautioned against certain imported cookware due to potential lead leaching.
- New cookware brands were added to the list of products to be discarded.
- Some imported cookware made of aluminum, brass and certain alloys specifically pose the risk.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that pretty imported cookware you bought might be leaching lead into your food. And it has added new brands to the list it says should be thrown away.
The notice specifically says not to donate or sell the identified cookware.
This weekend, three new cookware products were added to one already listed in August and FDA in a notice said its “collection and sampling of cookware products remains ongoing.”
The issue is imported cookware that could leach significant levels of lead into food, including some products made from aluminum, brass and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium, the agency said in the advisory. When used to cook, the FDA said lead was leached into food, “thereby making food unsafe.”
Consumers who are worried about lead exposure should talk to their health care provider.
Meanwhile, the notice reminds retailers and distributors that they are responsible for making sure they don’t sell or distribute unsafe cookware.
Why lead poses health problems
The advisory added that “young children, women of child-bearing age and those who are breastfeeding may be at higher risk for potential adverse events after eating food cooked using these products.”
While lead can affect anyone, regardless of age and health status and there’s no safe level for consumption, it’s especially bad for children and unborn babies. Even at high levels, they may not have obvious symptoms, per FDA, but can experience learning challenges, low IQ and behavior changes. “At higher levels of lead exposure, people may experience fatigue, headache, stomach pain, vomiting or neurologic changes.”
FDA doesn’t authorize lead as a color additive or food additive, even in cookware or other products expected to contact food, which is why the federal government looks at cookware for safety.
Which products leach lead?
- Tiger White brand Kadais/Karahis. The FDA tested “Pure Aluminium Utensils Tiger White RTM No: 2608606 An ISO 9001:2015 Certified Co. Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd. India.” The FDA has been “unable to identify the distributor responsible for effectuating a recall.”
- Silver Horse brand “Aluminium Mathar Kadai 26,” ID number 765542730845. The notice said distributor notification is in progress.
- Silver Horse brand “Aluminium Milk Pan 4,” ID number 765542728637. The notice said distributor notification is in progress.
- JK Vallabhdas brand “Aluminium Kadai India Bazaar #3,” ID number 2000000772. The notice said distributor notification is in progress.