The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted that some cookware appliances could be leaking lead into your food. They tried kitchen utensils made of steel, aluminum alloys like Hindalium/Hindolium and Indalium/Indolium, and found that they were releasing lead.
This passes the barrier of danger to another level, the FDA warned that “lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status,” especially to babies, kids and pregnant women.
Which products are releasing lead?
The FDA is searching for the toxic kitchen products, and all up to September 12, they have identified 4 steel items that carry this risk: 3 woks and a milk pan.
There’s 3 brands making this produtcs: Tiger White, Silver Horse and Vallabhdas. All of them, made in India. And the FDA found them in a few stores around the country:
- Mannan Supermarket (Jamaica, New York)
- Patel Brothers (Schaumburg, Illinois)
- Indiaco (in Hoffman Estates, Illinois)
It’s important not to get confused, these shops are not doing anything wrong. The FDA only found a few problematic items in those places. And they’re still looking for more information, so there’s a chance the list will keep growing.
The UN (ONU) explains why this sometimes happens in some countries: “in many low- and middle-income countries, locally made aluminum cookware is common. Informal artisans use scrap metal from various products such as waste engine parts.” Sometimes it comes from radiators, lead batteries, or computer parts. I know, is shocking… But if that lead metal ends up in your house, part of your cookware, then it might also end up in your food, in your body.
What to do in this situation?
Don’t panic, the FDA is doing their job, and now that we have the information, we can prevent any serious risk. Here are a few suggestions of how to take care of the situation:
- Check your cookware. And pay attention for any Indian made kitchen utensils.
- If you’re not sure about one of your cookware, then don’t use it. The FDA recommends avoiding using anything that looks like the risky products they find, especially if you’re not sure of it.
- If you’re the owner of any Tiger White, Silver Horse, or Vallabhdas kitchen cookware, “throw them away.”
- “Do not donate or refurbish this cookware.” The risk will still be there but in another house.
- If you sell this product in your shop or you distribute it, you are responsible for the product being safe in contact with food. Use the FDA testing protocol to verify lead leach on your products.
Is it really that dangerous?
YES.
Lead damages the body and the brain. In babies and kids, can affect learning and behavior. In adults, it can mess with blood pressure, affects lungs, and more.
It doesn’t change the taste in food, so to be able to notice it just while eating a dish might be hard. That’s why all these rules and tests are made.
Remember:
- There are 4 problematic pieces (for now): 3 woks, 1 milk pan.
- They have been found in these shops: New York and Illinois: Mannan Supermarket, Patel Brothers, Indiaco.
- The FDA investigation is still going on.
- If you have been exposed to lead leach and you worry, go check with your doctor.
One last advice
Buy your cookware in certified stores, or shop where traceability is possible. Many of us don’t think about how much it takes to create a product; how is it made? With what kind of materials? Are they safe at any temperature? And many of us cannot answer this question either.
Administrations like FDA are constantly asking these questions so consumers can trust what they’re buying doesn’t represent a risk.
If you want to keep informed of this investigation or others, go to the FDA official website.