The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is once again updating its list of cookware contaminated with lead.
In August, the agency warned consumers and stores about certain imported cookware that could leach significant levels of lead into food. The FDA explained that the cookware is made with aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as “Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium.”
The cookware included in the initial recall was tested by the agency and its state partners and found to leach lead into food. This leaching, the FDA stated, made “food unsafe” to consume if cooked in any of the products.
The FDA added in its first recall that “Young children, women of child-bearing age, and those who are breastfeeding may be at higher risk for potential adverse events after eating food cooked using these products.”
In late October, the FDA expanded the initial list to include six additional brands. Now, it’s added nine more. In its latest post, the FDA noted, “Other cookware products may also be affected. FDA will continue to update this table with additional products as new information becomes available.” Here’s what you need to know.
Which brands were on the FDA’s initial list?
Brand: Kadai/Karahi (Tiger White, Pure Aluminium Utensils, Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd.)
Retailer: Mannan Supermarket, 166-11 Hillside Avenue, Jamaica, New York 11432
Brand: Silver Horse (7 6554273084 5 aluminium mathar kadai 26)
Retailer: Patel Brothers, 830 W. Golf Road, Schaumburg, Illinois 60194
Brand: Silver Horse (7 6554272863 7 aluminium milk pan 4)
Retailer: Patel Brothers, 830 W. Golf Road, Schaumburg, Illinois 60194
Brand: JK Vallabhdas (aluminium kadai India Bazaar #3 2000000772)
Retailer: Indiaco, 15 Golf Ctr., Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169
Brand: Kadai/Karahi aluminium hammered kadai, size 7
Retailer: Indian Supermarket, 4421 Gateway Park Blvd, Sacramento, California
Brand: Brass Pot
Retailer: Santos Agency Inc., 1188 Montague Street, San Leandro, California
Brand: Dolphin Brand aluminum saucepan
Retailer: Al Monsoor Video Inc. DBA Diya Handicrafts, 2603 W. Devon Avenue, Chicago
Brand: Town Food Service Equipment Co. (Made in Pakistan); 2-quart aluminum saucepan
Retailer: Best Kitchen Supply, 413 Morse Street NE, Washington, D.C.
Brand: Town Food Service Equipment Co. (Made in Pakistan); 3-quart aluminum saucepan
Retailer: Best Kitchen Supply, 413 Morse Street NE, Washington, D.C.
Brand: Royal Kitchen Cookware milk pan, size 3
Retailer: Subzi Bazaar, 194 Route 17 North, Rochelle Park, New Jersey
Which brands are a part of the expanded recall?
Brand: Sonex Cookware
Retailer: Alanwar Food Corp. (Balady Foods), 7128 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York
Brand: IKM / JSM Foods (aluminum saucepan)
Retailer: India Metro Hypermarket, 5130 Mowry Avenue, Fremont, California
Brand: Kraftwares (India) Ltd. (brass tope)
Retailer: India Metro Hypermarket, 5130 Mowry Avenue, Fremont, California
Brand: Kraftwares (India) Ltd. (aluminum kadai, size 5)
Retailer: India Metro Hypermarket, 5130 Mowry Avenue, Fremont, California
Brand: IKM/JSM Foods (4-quart pital brass pot)
Retailer: India Cash and Carry, 39175 Farwell Drive, Fremont, California
Brand: Silver Horse (aluminum caldero 28)
Retailer: Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, Maryland
Brand: Silver Horse (aluminum degda 24)
Retailer: Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, Maryland
Brand: Silver Horse (aluminum degda 20)
Retailer: Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, Maryland
Brand: Chef/Shata Traders (milk pan, 24 centimeters)
Retailer: Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, Maryland
What should you do if you own any of this cookware?
As with every recall, the FDA advises consumers to discard these products. It also emphasized not to donate them either.
The FDA noted that retailers “are responsible for ensuring cookware sold and/or distributed for use in contact with food is safe for their intended use and complies with all FDA regulations.” It also noted that testing and monitoring are “ongoing,” and additional products will be added to the list if they are found to leach lead.
Why shouldn’t you use these products?
As the FDA explained, lead can “affect people of any age or health status, and there is no known safe level of exposure to lead.” Even low levels can cause toxicity, and it’s especially problematic in children who “may not have obvious symptoms but can still experience trouble learning, low IQ, and behavior changes. At higher levels of lead exposure, people may experience fatigue, headache, stomach pain, vomiting, or neurologic changes.”
