It’s official—the FDA publishes a list of pots, pans, and utensils that release lead and puts millions of American households on alert

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned about the use of certain kitchen utensils that may be affecting health due to their potential to leach lead into food, especially those made of aluminum and brass, and aluminum alloys such as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium. This lead release, either during cooking or from storing food in them, affects the health of individuals, particularly vulnerable people such as young children, women of childbearing age, and those who are breastfeeding.

On November 24, the FDA added nine more brands to the 10 it had previously identified as dangerous, which have been removed from the market. At home, if you have utensils that are on the FDA list, it is recommended to discard them. Retailers and distributors are reminded that they hold the legal responsibility, must conduct lead leaching tests, and should consult the FDA if they have any doubts.

According to the FDA, the problem with lead exposure is when it exceeds one part per million (ppm) or represents chronic exposure. Studies indicate that damage in adults can affect kidney dysfunction, hypertension, or neurodegenerative effects, as well as an increase in free lead in the blood. In the case of children, it can affect development, and in general, it impacts the central nervous system.

Risks of lead exposure

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned about the potential for cookware to leach lead into food. To date, it has included 19 utensils, made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium. Since last November 24, nine brands of utensils have been added by the FDA to its recall list, alongside the 10 initially identified.

1. Sonex Aluminum Pot (ISO 9001:2000 5). Status: Recall initiated.
2. IKM Aluminum Saucepan (size 2, with wooden handle). Status: Distributor agreed to recall.
3. Brass lid. Status: Distributor agreed to recall.
4. Aluminum Kadai Size 5 – A Cook’s Brand. Status: Distributor agreed to recall.
5. IKM Brass Pital Pot 4 Quarts (hand-hammered brass, no. 3). Status: Distributor agreed to recall.
6. Silver Horse Aluminum Cauldron 28. Status: Retailer notified.
7. Degda Silver Horse Aluminum 24. Status: Retailer notified.
8. Degda Silver Horse Aluminum 20. Status: Retailer notified.
9. Chef Milk Container 24 cm. Status: Distributor agreed to recall.
10. Hammered Aluminum Kadai Size 7. Status: Recall initiated.
11. Brass pot. Status: Recall initiated.
12. Dolphin brand aluminum saucepan. Status: Point of sale discarded remaining products.
13. 2-quart aluminum saucepan, Town Food Service Equipment Co., Inc. (Made in Pakistan). Status: Distributor agreed to withdraw.
14. 3-quart aluminum casserole, Town Food Service Equipment Co., Inc. (Made in Pakistan). Status: Distributor agreed to withdraw.
15. Royal Kitchen Cookware milk pot (size 3). Status: Distributor notified of the sample results.
16. White Tiger Kadai/Karahi (PURE ALUMINUM UTENSILS TM). Status: Manufacturer notified; the company removed the product.
17. Silver Horse (Aluminum Mathar Kadai 26). Status: Withdrawal initiated.
18. Silver Horse (4-quart aluminum milk tray). Status: Withdrawal initiated.
19. J. K. Vallabhdas (Aluminum Kadai Bazaar India #3). Status: The distributor no longer imports this product.

Recommendations

The FDA recommends disposing of any utensil on the list or made from the materials mentioned. As for retailers and distributors, it reminds them that the legal responsibility lies with them, that they are obligated to carry out lead leaching tests to verify the safety of their products, and that the FDA is available for any questions.

Risk of lead (Pb) contamination

According to specialists, the risk exists with exposure above one part per million (ppm), or when the exposure is chronic.

• In adults: it can affect vital organs and cognitive functions. This includes kidney dysfunction, hypertension, or neurocognitive effects, in addition to an increase in blood lead levels.
• In children: they are recognized as one of the most vulnerable groups due to being in full development. Damage can affect development, cause learning disorders, and impact the central nervous system in general.