FDA issues urgent warning over lead-containing kitchenware that may leach into food

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an urgent warning about certain kitchen tools and cookware that could leach lead into food. FDA investigators found four products containing lead that could render food unsafe for consumption and issued guidance aimed at consumers and retailers alike.

The four items were manufactured in India and are aluminum. They include three circular, flat-bottomed pans and a milk pan. The products were located in three retail stores in the United States — Mannan Supermarket in New York and Patel Brothers and Indiacos in Illinois — though it is not clear whether they were distributed more broadly. Consumers are advised to inspect their kitchens and discard any cookware that may contain lead. Cookware retailers and distributors are encouraged to consult with the FDA regarding the safety and regulatory status of any products they sell or carry.

The FDA noted that some imported aluminum, aluminum alloy and brass cookware can contain lead that can leach into food, presenting health risks. Investigators found that these four items may have been produced from recycled materials, such as car parts, which can contaminate the aluminum or brass during manufacturing. A growing body of research links prolonged lead exposure with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders, and exposure to heavy metals has also been associated with cancer, kidney disease, birth defects and cardiovascular dysfunction as lead accumulates in vital organs and damages cells and neurons. The agency emphasized that even low levels of lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and fetuses, and there is no established safe threshold. Children are especially susceptible to lead toxicity due to smaller body size, metabolism and rapid growth.

At higher exposure levels, symptoms of lead poisoning can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, mood changes, delirium, seizures and coma. In adults, lead exposure can raise blood pressure, cause kidney damage, increase cancer risk, reduce fertility and lead to neurological issues. The FDA reiterated that there is no safe level of lead exposure for either adults or children. Lead is poisonous whether inhaled, absorbed through the skin or ingested, and the agency has long banned the use of lead in products that come into contact with food.

In addition to federal action, Washington state announced that starting January 1, 2026, it will become the first state to ban the sale and manufacture of metal cookware containing more than five parts per million lead, including components such as handles and knobs. This upcoming state rule reflects broader consumer safety concerns about lead in consumer products and may influence retailer expectations and industry practices across the country.

Consumers should take the warning seriously and take steps to reduce exposure, especially in households with young children and pregnant individuals. If you own items matching the described products, the FDA advises discarding them and seeking guidance from relevant authorities or retailers about safe disposal. Retailers and distributors should promptly review their inventories and consult the FDA to confirm regulatory status and any needed corrective actions. The agency noted that ongoing surveillance and testing of imported cookware remain essential to protecting public health.