3 days ago
The FDA is warning you not to use this cookware—it could be poisoning your food with lead
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers and retailers not to sell or use certain imported cookware that may leach significant levels of lead.
The FDA issued an alert on Wednesday after tests showed some types of imported cookware made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys (known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium) leached lead into food when used for cooking, making food unsafe. Here's what to know.
Why is this a concern?
Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status. Consuming food with elevated lead levels can contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood. 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.
There is no safe level of exposure to lead—even low levels can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and fetuses, according to the FDA. Babies and kids are more susceptible to lead toxicity due to their smaller body size, metabolism, and rapid growth.
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.
Which cookware is included in the warning?
The warning was issued for Indian aluminum cookware company, Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd, which sells the cookware under the brand name Tiger White. The FDA noted, however, it was 'could not identify and contact the distributor' to initiate a recall, so the products may still be on retail store shelves.
The recalled product is as follows:
