FDA warns of lead-leaching imported cookware

The FDA is warning retailers and consumers not to sell or use certain imported cookware that may leach significant levels of lead into food.

The alert concerns some types of imported cookware products made from aluminium, brass, and low-cost, cast aluminium alloys – known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium. The latter material has become celebrated in India and other markets for making strong and durable items that are easy to clean and cheaper than stainless steel.

According to the regulator, however, testing by the FDA and state partners has demonstrated the potential for the cookware to leach lead "under conditions designed to mimic their use in contact with food."

As a result, the agency believes 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."

The FDA said it is in the course of notifying retailers and distributors about the risky items, and in some cases, recalls have already been started.

Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status, and there is no known safe level of exposure to lead. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and foetuses who 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 behaviour changes, said the agency. At higher levels of lead exposure, people may experience fatigue, headache, stomach pain, vomiting, or neurologic changes.

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