FDA warns of lead leaching cookware: Imported nonstick pots and pans added to risk list

Some imported nonstick cookware could be toxic, the Food and Drug Administration has warned. On August 13, 2025, the FDA first flagged several products that leached “significant levels” of lead. On September 12, the agency updated the list, adding more brands to avoid.

The cookware in question is made from aluminum, aluminum alloys and brass. According to the FDA, lead exposure is dangerous even in small amounts. It can harm infants and fetuses most severely.

Which cookware may leach lead into food?

The FDA tested multiple imported items. Results showed they released lead during cooking. Consumers are urged to throw away these products if found in their kitchen.

One affected product is the Kadai/Karahi Tiger White, labeled under SARASWATI STRIPS PVT. LTD. INDIA. It was sold at Mannan Supermarket in Jamaica, NY. Another is the Silver Horse brand, with items like Aluminium Mathar Kadai and Milk Pan. These were sold at Patel Brothers in Schaumburg, IL.

A third product flagged is JK Vallabhdas Aluminium Kadai, sold at Indiaco in Hoffman Estates, IL. The FDA has said this is not a full list. More items may be added as testing continues.

Lead poisoning can cause headaches, stomach pain and fatigue. Severe cases can result in vomiting and long-term health issues. According to Reuters, health agencies stress that no safe level of lead exists in the human body.

What should consumers do now?

Anyone using cookware on the FDA list should stop immediately. The agency recommends discarding affected products. People concerned about possible exposure should contact their health care provider.

The FDA also urged retailers to stop selling flagged cookware. Ongoing inspections may expand the warning.

Consumers looking for safe options can turn to brands that advertise nontoxic, lead-free cookware. Products like Caraway ceramic pans, Our Place Perfect Pot and Greenpan ceramic sets are commonly listed as safer choices. These use coatings free of lead, cadmium and PFAS.

Why this warning matters

The discovery highlights growing concerns about toxic materials in household products. Millions of homes rely on affordable cookware imported from overseas. Without strict testing, harmful products can enter the U.S. market.

Health experts warn that chronic lead exposure builds up over time. Families with young children are most at risk. Kitchen safety is now becoming a public health issue, not just a consumer choice.

The FDA warning about lead leaching cookware is a reminder to check your kitchen. Stay alert, replace unsafe pans, and choose trusted brands. Protecting your health starts with what you cook in.

Info at your fingertips-

Q1: What is lead leaching cookware?

It is cookware that releases lead into food during cooking. The FDA found this in some imported pots and pans made of aluminum and brass.

Q2: Which brands were flagged by the FDA?

Brands include Kadai/Karahi Tiger White, Silver Horse, and JK Vallabhdas. These were sold in U.S. stores like Mannan Supermarket, Patel Brothers and Indiaco.

Q3: Why is lead exposure dangerous?

Lead is toxic even at low levels. It can cause fatigue, headaches, stomach pain, and long-term health issues. Children and pregnant women face the highest risk.

Q4: What should I do if I own one of these products?

The FDA says to throw it away. Stop cooking with it and contact your doctor if you think you may have been exposed to lead.

Q5: What cookware is safe to use?

Ceramic-coated pans from Caraway, Greenpan and Our Place are listed as safe. They are lead-free and free of harmful chemicals.