FDA Finds More Cookware Leaching Lead Into Your Food
The FDA identified more cookware that could be leaching lead into your food in an expanded warning updated November 24.
The agency published an initial notice on August 13 after testing pots made by an Indian manufacturer. They found cookware made with Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium—metal alloys made from aluminum, aluminum alloys, and brass.
These substances are common in some imported cookware but aren't used in the U.S. because they leach lead into food cooked or stored inside.
Since October, nine more products got added to the list.
There's no known safe level of lead exposure. Young children, people of child-bearing age, and people who are breastfeeding are at even higher risk.
What's On the List
The FDA originally identified issues with Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd, an Indian aluminum cookware company selling products under the brand Tiger White. Since then, several new manufacturers and distributors got added.
The November update added nine new products and three new manufacturers:
Unbranded "Chef Milk Pan 24 cm" (tested at Punjab Supermarket in Rosedale, Maryland)
Silver Horse brand "Aluminum Degda 20," "Aluminum Degda 24," and "Aluminum Coldero 28" (tested at Punjab Supermarket in Rosedale)
IKM brand brass pots and aluminum pans (tested at India Metro Hypermarket in Fremont, California)
Sonex brand aluminum pot (tested at Balady Foods in Brooklyn)
The full list also includes Tiger White brand Kadais, Royal Kitchen Cookware milk pans, Town Food Service saucepans, and various unbranded brass pots and aluminum pans tested at stores in Illinois, New Jersey, DC, and California.
Basically, lots of imported cookware from Indian manufacturers using metal alloys containing lead.
What to Do
Check your kitchen for any listed products or similar cookware and throw them away. Don't try to refurbish or repair the cookware. Just get rid of it.
If you're concerned about possible lead exposure, contact your healthcare provider.
Questions can be sent to the FDA at premarkt@fda.hhs.gov.
The Lead Problem
Lead is toxic. Even low levels of exposure cause fatigue, headache, stomach pain, vomiting, or neurologic changes.
Exposure is especially dangerous to developing fetuses and children, potentially causing learning difficulties, low IQ, and behavioral changes. Even without obvious symptoms, babies and children can be permanently impacted by elevated lead levels because of their smaller size and metabolism.
The FDA doesn't allow lead in products related to food. But imported cookware keeps showing up in stores anyway.
Why This Keeps Happening
These metal alloys containing lead are common in some imported cookware. They're not used in the U.S. specifically because they leach lead. But imported cookware keeps getting sold anyway.
The FDA tested products at Indian grocery stores, specialty markets, and restaurant supply stores in Maryland, California, Illinois, New Jersey, DC, New York, and Chicago. Found lead-leaching cookware at locations across the country.
Retailers and distributors are supposed to ensure cookware safety before selling it. Obviously that's not happening consistently.
The Pattern
The FDA identified issues with one Indian manufacturer back in August. By November, they'd found problems with multiple manufacturers and distributors selling lead-tainted cookware at stores nationwide.
That's not an isolated incident. That's a pattern of imported cookware containing lead showing up in American kitchens.
Nine more products added to the list in November alone. The list keeps growing because imported cookware from certain manufacturers keeps getting sold without proper testing.
The Bottom Line
Check your kitchen for products on the list. If you have them, throw them away immediately. Don't cook with them again. Don't try to fix them. No safe level of lead exposure exists. It's especially dangerous for children and pregnant people. Contact your doctor if you're worried about lead exposure from cookware you've been using.
And maybe think twice about buying unbranded imported cookware. If retailers aren't consistently testing for lead before selling pots and pans, you're gambling every time you cook dinner.
The FDA keeps finding more lead-tainted cookware. Mostly imported from India using metal alloys that shouldn't be used for cooking. These products are available at grocery stores and specialty markets across multiple states.
Lead poisoning from cookware shouldn't be a thing we're still dealing with in 2025. But here we are, with the FDA publishing expanding lists of pots and pans leaching toxins into food.
Throw away affected cookware. Check the full list on the FDA website. Be more careful about where your cookware comes from. And contact your doctor if you've been using any of these products.
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