FDA: Issued Warning About Imported Cookware

What’s the Problem?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning retailers and consumers not to sell or use certain imported cookware that may leach significant levels of lead (Pb) into food. Some types of imported cookware products made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium have been tested by FDA and state partners, and have demonstrated the potential to leach lead under conditions designed to mimic their use in contact with food. 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. 

Recommendation

• Consumers should check their homes for the products listed below and throw away any cookware that may be able to leach lead into food when used for cooking or food storage.
  • Do not donate or refurbish this cookware.
• Consumers who have concerns about lead exposure or elevated levels of lead should contact their health care provider.
• Retailers and distributors are responsible for ensuring cookware sold and/or distributed for use in contact with food are safe for their intended use and comply with all FDA regulations.
  • Various testing methods for leachable lead are available, or retailers/distributors may use FDA’s lead leach testing protocol for cookware.
• Retailers and distributors of cookware are encouraged to consult with the FDA regarding the safety and regulatory status of any products used in contact with food that they market or distribute.
  • Questions for FDA related to this topic can be sent to premarkt@fda.hhs.gov.

Tested Products

The product(s) listed below are cookware tested by FDA. FDA’s analysis demonstrates that such products may leach lead into food. Potentially affected products are not limited to this list. Additional products will be added to this alert as needed.

Health Concerns from Lead Exposure

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 fetuses. Consuming food with elevated lead levels can contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood. Children and babies 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.

Summary and Scope of the Problem

There are no FDA regulations that authorize lead for use as a color additive or food additive (including as a component of foodware, cookware, or food contact surfaces). In order to protect public health, FDA monitors levels of lead in foods and leachable lead levels in cookware. The FDA collaborates with state and federal partners, industry, and other stakeholders to identify and facilitate the implementation of sustainable and effective strategies for growing, sourcing, processing, and manufacturing foods to support lowering levels of environmental contaminants, such as lead, while maintaining their nutritional quality and accessibility.

Actions

FDA is actively working to remove cookware from the market that may leach lead into food when used for cooking. FDA’s surveillance is ongoing. Additional products will be added to this alert as needed.

Source: https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-issues-warning-about-imported-cookware-may-leach-lead-august-2025