FDA Warns Consumers to Discard Lead-Leaching Cookware

New alert urges immediate action as agency expands its list of hazardous imported pots and pans.

Lead The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned consumers and retailers nationwide that certain imported aluminum and brass cookware may leach dangerous levels of lead into food when used for cooking or storage, adding three new products to its advisory issued September 12.

Nut Graf This updated warning underscores the health risks of lead exposure-particularly for children, pregnant women and nursing mothers-and instructs anyone owning affected items to dispose of them immediately rather than donate or sell them.

Expanded List of Affected Products

• Tiger White “Pure Aluminum Utensils” Kadai/Karahi sold at Mann Supermarket, Jamaica, NY
• Silver Horse Aluminum Milk Pan sold at Patel Brothers, Schaumburg, IL
• JK Vallabhdas Aluminum Kadai sold at INDIACO, Hoffman Estates, IL

These items were tested by the FDA and found to release lead into food during normal use. Additional cookware made of aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Indolium could also pose a risk.

Health Risks of Lead in Cookware

Lead is a cumulative toxicant with no known safe exposure level. Even minimal ingestion can impair children’s cognitive development, lower IQ and cause behavioral issues. In adults, lead exposure is linked to high blood pressure, kidney damage and reproductive problems. Vulnerable populations face the greatest danger.

Recommendations for Consumers and Retailers

• Consumers: Inspect kitchens for the specified brands and discard any matching cookware. Do not donate, sell or repurpose these items.
• Retailers and Distributors: Cease selling affected products immediately and ensure all cookware complies with FDA safety standards. Consider FDA’s lead-leach testing protocol for any imported cookware.

Questions may be directed to FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at [email protected].