FDA Warns Some Imported Cookware Could Leach High Levels of Lead Into Food

Agency warns of high levels of lead detected in refugee populations using imported cookware made from aluminum and brass alloys.

Federal food safety regulators are warning that certain cookware products may be exposing consumers to levels of lead that could result in serious, and potentially long term lead poisoning side effects.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter (PDF) to retailers and distributors on December 12, warning that imported cookware made from aluminum, brass and other aluminum alloys, known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium, may allow significantly high levels of lead to leach into food while cooking.

Lead poisoning is a serious health risk for both adults and children, causing a wide range of symptoms such as high blood pressure, reproductive health issues, fatigue and headaches.

The American Academy of Pediatrics warns there is no safe level of lead exposure in children, and that even small amounts can cause serious long-term side effects.

In children, lead exposure is particularly harmful, as it can impair brain development, leading to reduced structural integrity, lower IQ and poor academic performance later in life. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause kidney damage in children and teens.

Researchers from the Public Health Department of Seattle and King County conducted a comprehensive analysis to assess the risks posed by lead contamination in imported cookware. They utilized X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis to measure the total lead content in cookware and performed leachate tests to simulate cooking and storage conditions.

These tests involved using a dilute acid solution (similar to vinegar) to mimic food preparation, simmering it for 15 minutes, and then allowing it to sit at room temperature for 24 hours. The lead concentrations in the resulting liquid were analyzed and compared to the FDA’s Interim Reference Levels (IRLs) for children (2.2 micrograms/day) and people who might become pregnant (8.8 micrograms/day).

The analysis revealed high levels of lead in certain cookware. For instance, a hindalium appam pan from India leached enough lead during testing to exceed the FDA’s childhood lead exposure limit by 3,075 times. Similarly, a brass cookpot exceeded the limit by 1,430 times within just 15 minutes of use.

Pressure cookers and other cookware also showed significant contamination, with one aluminum pressure cooker leaching 1,940 times the safe lead limit for children after 24 hours of simulated storage. In contrast, stainless steel cookware leached negligible amounts of lead, highlighting its relative safety compared to aluminum and brass cookware.

As a result of the findings, the FDA has taken action against Rashko Baba Co. Ltd., a cookware manufacturer linked to significant lead contamination. The agency issued a warning letter and placed the company under an import alert to prevent its products from entering and being sold in the United States. These products were found to contain unsafe levels of lead, classifying them as adulterated under federal regulations.

The affected cookware includes stove top pots, pressure cookers, sauté pans, idli makers, stock pots, saucepans, tadka pans, pita pots and appam pans. The products are manufactured in China, Columbia, Taiwan, Thailand, India, Afghanistan and El Salvador.

Items include products manufactured by various brands including Harjee, Hamza, GSI, Economy, Imusa, Kyyte, Rashko, Casco, Tiantianxi and Kitchen King. A full list of the affected products was released by Public Health – Seattle and King County, in Washington state.

The cookware is sold at local stores and online at Amazon, Walmart, Lowes, MangalGrills, GSI Outdoors, Chefs Toys and AliExpress.

The agency is calling on consumers to stop using the cookware immediately and to replace it with a safe alternative.

Consumers who may have eaten food cooked in the lead-tainted cookware products, or who may have symptoms of lead toxicity, should contact their doctor and report the incident to the FDA’s Industry and Consumer Assistance department.