If you’ve bought imported aluminum pots and pans, you may want to check the label. In August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a list of cookware that can leach lead into food.
The FDA added to that list in both September and October.
The FDA prohibits lead as a food additive or component of cookware or other surfaces that come in contact with food.
Here’s why you should be concerned about the potential of lead exposure, followed by the FDA’s list of brands to look out for.
Why lead exposure is dangerous
According to the FDA, there is no known safe level of lead. Even small amounts can potentially cause serious health problems for anyone. The FDA states in its alert:
“Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status.”
Young children face the highest risk because their bodies are smaller and still developing. Lead exposure in children can result in learning difficulties, lower IQ and behavioral changes — even when no obvious symptoms appear.
Adults aren’t immune either. Higher levels of exposure can trigger fatigue, headaches, stomach pain, vomiting and neurological problems. Women of childbearing age and those who are breastfeeding face elevated risks as well.
Affected products
The FDA’s testing has identified cookware from several manufacturers and distributors that was primarily sold at ethnic grocery stores across the U.S. as well as Best Kitchen Supply.
Products include various sizes of saucepans, milk pans, brass pots and kadais and karahis (traditional Indian pots for simmering or frying).
Here is the full list of cookware:
- JK Vallabhdas aluminum kadai marked “India Bazaar #3” (ID: 2000000772)
- Dolphin Brand aluminum saucepans
- Town Food Service Equipment Co. aluminum saucepans (2-quart size)
- Town Food Service Equipment Co. aluminum saucepans (3-quart size)
- Silver Horse aluminum milk pan 4 (ID: 765542728637)
- Silver Horse aluminum mathar kadai 26 (ID: 765542730845)
- Royal Kitchen Cookware milk pan (size 3)
- Tiger White kadais/karahis marked “Pure Aluminium Utensils Tiger White RTM No: 2608606” and “ISO 9001:2015 Certified Co. Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd. India”
- Unbranded aluminum hammered kadais/karahis (size 7) sold at Indian Supermarket in Sacramento, California
- Unbranded brass pots sold at a Santos Agency location in San Leandro, California
The FDA says it will continue testing and add more products to its warning list as needed.
What you should do
If you suspect you own any of these cookware items, check your kitchen immediately, the FDA recommends. If you find them, throw them away. Don’t try to donate or refurbish the cookware, as that only passes the danger to someone else.
Anyone concerned about possible lead exposure should contact their health care provider to report the problem and receive appropriate care.
Add a Comment