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Time of India
an hour ago
- Health
- Time of India
USFDA warns against the use of cookware by this Indian company
The USFDA has issued a warning against cookware from Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd. due to dangerous lead levels leaching into food. Marketed under the brand Tiger White, these 'pure aluminium utensils' pose severe health risks, especially to children, potentially causing neurological and developmental issues. The agency advises consumers to discard the products and retailers to discontinue sales immediately. When it comes to cooking, cookware plays a key role in making or breaking the nutritional value of the dish. The material or metal they are made with often releases chemicals that can either boost the nutritional profile of the dish or leak in some chemicals that can cause life-threatening diseases. According to the latest report, the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has issued a warning against using cookware manufactured by Indian company, Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd., after tests showed the products could leach dangerous levels of lead into food. According to the US health regulator , the products in question are being sold under the brand name Tiger White and marketed as 'pure aluminium utensils'. The agency said tests revealed that cookware made from aluminium, brass and aluminium alloys released lead when used for cooking. The report also says that some types of imported cookware products made from aluminium, brass, and aluminium alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium have been tested by FDA and state partners, and found to leach lead into food when used for cooking, thereby making food unsafe. Keeping the harm the cookware can cause, the US agency stated, 'Retailers should discontinue sale and consumers should not use this product as cookware or food storage.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Take a look at the details of the items under scrutiny as listed by USFDA Brand and product name: Pure Aluminium Utensils, Tiger White Trademark number: RTM No. 2608606 Certification claim: ISO 9001:2015 certified company Manufacturer: Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd., India What does the study say? According to a study by the National Library of Medicine , lead exposure from contaminated cookware poses severe health risks, particularly affecting neurological development in children, leading to learning and cognitive impairments. In adults, it can result in hypertension, kidney damage, and reproductive toxicity. The study has highlighted that besides lead, toxic metals such as cadmium are also used in such cookware adding to potential health risks. The study found that many aluminum cookware products contained in excess of 100 parts per million (ppm) of lead. Many also leached enough lead under simulated cooking and storage conditions to exceed recommended dietary limits. What happens when you consume lead The agency has mentioned that lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of all age groups and there is no known safe level of exposure to lead. Consuming food with elevated lead levels can contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and foetuses, states the agency. At low levels, children 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. What is the USFDA advice According to USFDA, consumers should check if they have any of the cookware listed above at home and throw it away. They should avoid donating or refurbishing it as well. Also , consumers who have concerns about lead exposure or elevated levels of lead should contact their health care provider. And for retailers and distributors, the agency suggests that they should seek USFDA guidance about the safety of any cookware they market. All Images Courtesy: istock
USA Today
5 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
FDA warns this cookware could be leaching lead into your food
Cookware that is likely still on shelves could be leaching lead into your food, the Food and Drug Administration said in an Aug. 13 warning. The FDA became aware of the issue after testing pots made by an Indian manufacturer and finding that they were made with Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium, metal alloys that are made from aluminum, aluminum alloys and brass. These substances are common in some types of imported cookware, said the FDA, but are not used in the U.S. due to their tendency to leach lead into food cooked or stored within. There is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe and some people are at even higher risk of adverse effects, warned the agency, including young children, people of child-bearing age and people who are breastfeeding. Here's what to know. Which cookware is included in the warning? The FDA identified the manufacturer, an Indian aluminum cookware company called Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd that sells products under the brand name Tiger White. However, it was unable to contact a distributor to initiate a recall, meaning the impacted products are not being pulled from shelves on a large scale. Impacted products are Kadais/Karahis, or deep pots used for simmering and frying, with brand name Tiger White. The FDA tested two specific items at a Mannan Supermarket in Jamaica, New York, labeled "Pure Aluminium Utensils Tiger White RTM No: 2608606 An ISO 9001:2015 Certified Co. Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd. India." However, the FDA warns that these are not the only potentially affected products and more could be added as the investigation continues. What to do if you have an impacted product Consumers should check their homes for any listed products or similar cookware and throw them away. They should not attempt to refurbish or repair the cookware. If you are concerned about possible lead exposure, the FDA advises contacting your health care provider. Retailers and distributors are responsible for ensuring the safety of cookware they sell, said the FDA, meaning those that may have the affected products on the market should use the FDA's lead leach testing protocol for cookware or another testing method. They are also encouraged to consult with the FDA on the updated safety and regulatory status of food-related products. Questions for the FDA related to this topic can be sent to premarkt@ What is the risk of lead exposure? The FDA does not allow the use of lead in products related to food, including components of cookware and other food contact surfaces. Lead is toxic to humans and can be ingested when a product like the cookware leaches it into items it comes into contact with. Even low levels of exposure are linked to serious health issues, including fatigue, headache, stomach pain, vomiting or neurologic changes, according to the FDA. Exposure is especially dangerous to developing fetuses and children, potentially causing learning difficulties, low IQ and behavioral changes. Even when they don't show obvious symptoms, babies and children can be permanently impacted by elevated levels of lead in their blood, especially due to their smaller size and metabolism.
