US FDA warns consumers after lead found in imported cookware

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert, warning consumers and retailers about 19 types of imported cookware that may leach dangerous levels of lead into food — including some products manufactured in India.

In an updated advisory released on November 24, the FDA expanded its list to include nine additional cookware items that failed its lead-leaching tests.

The agency said many of these products were made from aluminium, brass and aluminium alloys commonly marketed as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium.

Tests conducted by the FDA and state partners showed that these utensils can release significant amount of lead when used for cooking or food storage. The alert has raised concern because these cookware products are widely sold in Indian grocery stores and ethnic supermarkets across the US. Several items imported from India were found to pose a risk and have already been voluntarily recalled by distributors after discussions with the FDA.

Lead exposure, the agency warned, was especially harmful to children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. “Even minimal exposure can impair cognitive development, lower IQ and cause behavioural changes in children. At higher levels, adults may experience fatigue, headaches, stomach pain, or neurological symptoms. There is no safe level of lead exposure,” the advisory emphasised.

The FDA has also reminded retailers and distributors of their responsibility to ensure that cookware sold in the US is safe for food contact. They have been encouraged to use FDA-approved testing protocols to check whether products leach lead and seek regulatory guidance when needed.

The agency says its surveillance is ongoing and more products may be added to the list as additional test results become available.