FDA warns over lead-leaching cookware identified in US stores

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday issued an urgent warning about certain kitchen tools that could leach lead into food. FDA investigators tested cookware sold at U.S. retailers and identified four products that contain lead, a toxic metal that could render food unsafe for consumption. All four items were manufactured in India and made of aluminum; the brands are Tiger White, Silver Horse and JK Vallabhdas. The circular, flat-bottomed pans and a milk pan were found at Mannan Supermarket in New York and Patel Brothers and Indiacos in Illinois. It remains unclear where else the products may have been distributed. The FDA advised consumers to check homes for the affected cookware and to discard any piece that contains lead. Cookware retailers and distributors are encouraged to consult with the FDA regarding safety and regulatory status of such products.

Lead can be introduced into food when these aluminum items are used; products may be made from recycled materials, such as car parts, which can contaminate the aluminum or brass during manufacturing. A growing body of research has linked prolonged exposure to lead with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. Beyond neurological effects, exposure to heavy metals has also been associated with cancer, kidney disease, birth defects and cardiovascular dysfunction, as lead builds up in organs and neurons. FDA notes that even low levels of lead exposure can cause health problems, particularly in children and fetuses; there is no safe level. Consuming food with elevated lead levels can raise blood lead levels. Children are more susceptible due to smaller body size, metabolism and rapid growth. At higher exposures, lead poisoning can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavioral changes, delirium, seizures, and coma. In adults, lead exposure can raise blood pressure, harm kidneys, increase cancer risk, reduce fertility and affect neurological function. The FDA has banned lead in products that come into contact with food, including cookware.

The warning comes as policymakers consider additional restrictions; Washington state will become the first to ban the sale and manufacture of metal cookware containing more than five parts per million lead, starting January 1, 2026. The ban also covers components such as handles and knobs.

Consumers should review their cookware and contact retailers or the FDA with questions about safety and regulatory status. The FDA continues to monitor imported cookware for lead content.