Key points
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The FDA has updated its list of aluminum and brass cookware that can leak dangerous levels of lead into food, expanding the August and November recalls with several new brands.
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The recalled products were deemed unsafe due to lead contamination, which poses particular risks to young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
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Consumers who own any of the marked cookware should throw it away, and the FDA notes that monitoring is ongoing, with more items likely to be added.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is again updating its list of lead-contaminated cookware.
In August, the agency warned consumers and stores about certain imported cookware that could leak significant levels of lead into food. The FDA explained that cookware is made of aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as “Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium.”
The cookware included in the original recall was tested by the agency and its state partners and found to leach lead into food. This leaching, the FDA said, made the “food unsafe” for consumption if cooked in either product.
The FDA added in its first recall that “Young children, women of childbearing age, and those who are breastfeeding may be at greater risk for potential adverse events after consuming foods cooked using these products.”
In late October, the FDA expanded the initial list to include six additional brands. Now, nine more have been added. In its most recent post, FDA noted, “Other cooking 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.
What brands were on the original FDA list and on the first update?
Brand: Kadai/Karahi (Tiger White, Pure Aluminum Utensils, Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd.)
Trader: Mannan Supermarket, 166-11 Hillside Avenue, Jamaica, New York 11432
Brand: Silver Horse (7 6554273084 5 aluminum mathar kadai 26)
Trader: Patel Brothers, 830 W. Golf Road, Schaumburg, Illinois 60194
Brand: Silver Horse (7 6554272863 7 aluminum milk tray 4)
Trader: Patel Brothers, 830 W. Golf Road, Schaumburg, Illinois 60194
Brand: JK Vallabhdas (only Aluminum India Bazaar #3 2000000772)
Trader: Indiaco, 15 Golf Ctr., Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169
Brand: Aluminum Kadai/Karahi Kadai, size 7
Trader: Indian Supermarket, 4421 Gateway Park Blvd, Sacramento, California
Brand: Brass pot
Trader: Santos Agency Inc., 1188 Montague Street, San Leandro, California
Brand: Dolphin brand aluminum saucepan
Trader: Al Monsoor Video Inc. DBA Diya Handicrafts, 2603 W. Devon Avenue, Chicago
Brand: Town Food Service Equipment Co. (Made in Pakistan); 2 liter aluminum saucepan
Trader: Best Kitchen Supply, 413 Morse Street NE, Washington, DC
Brand: Town Food Service Equipment Co. (Made in Pakistan); 3 liter aluminum saucepan
Trader: Best Kitchen Supply, 413 Morse Street NE, Washington, DC
Brand: Royal Kitchen Cookware Milk Pan, Size 3
Trader: Subzi Bazaar, 194 Route 17 North, Rochelle Park, New Jersey
Which brands are part of the extended recall?
Brand: Sonex cookware
Trader: Alanwar Food Corp. (Balady Foods), 7128 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York
Brand: IKM / JSM Foods (aluminum pan)
Trader: India Metro Hypermarket, 5130 Mowry Avenue, Fremont, California
Brand: Kraftwares (India) Ltd. (brass top)
Trader: India Metro Hypermarket, 5130 Mowry Avenue, Fremont, California
Brand: Kraftwares (India) Ltd. (aluminum only, size 5)
Trader: India Metro Hypermarket, 5130 Mowry Avenue, Fremont, California
mark: IKM/JSM Foods (4 liter pital brass pot)
Trader: India Cash and Carry, 39175 Farwell Drive, Fremont, California
Brand: Silver horse (aluminum caldero 28)
Trader: Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, Maryland
Brand: Silver horse (aluminum degda 24)
Trader: Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, Maryland
Brand: Silver horse (aluminum degda 20)
Trader: Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, Maryland
Brand: Chef/Shata Traders (milk pan, 24 cm)
Trader: Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, 8767 Philadelphia Road, Rosedale, Maryland
What should you do if you own any of these cookware?
As with every recall, the FDA advises consumers to discontinue these products. He also emphasized not to donate them.
The FDA noted that retailers “are responsible for ensuring that cookware sold and/or distributed for use in contact with food is safe for use and complies with all FDA regulations.” It also noted that testing and monitoring is “ongoing” and additional products will be added to the list if they are found to leach lead.
Why should you not use these products?
As the FDA explained, lead can “affect people of any age or health condition, and there is no known safe level of exposure to lead.” Even low levels can cause toxicity, and it’s particularly problematic in children who “may not have obvious symptoms, but may still have learning problems, low IQ, and behavioral changes. At higher levels of lead exposure, people may experience fatigue, headaches, stomach pains, vomiting, or neurological changes.”
More about lead and lead-contaminated cookware
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