The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to warn consumers to be on the lookout for certain brands of cookware known to leach lead. The initial notice on August 13, was updated in September, detailing three further cookware products that have been added to the danger list.
After testing cookware made by an Indian manufacturer, the FDA found that the products, made from aluminium, brass, and aluminum alloys, known as Hindalium and Indalium, were found to leach lead into food when used for cooking.
And the FDA has warned that young children, women of childbearing age, and those who are breastfeeding may be at higher risk of potential adverse effects after consuming food made in this cookware.
Brands to check for
The FDA is urging consumers to look out for cookware sold under the labels Tiger White, Silver Horse, and JK Vallavhdas, all of which are manufactured by Saraswati Strips PVT. Ltd.
However, the FDA has been unable to contact the distributor to initiate a recall of the products. Therefore, the FDA is advising retailers to stop selling the products and for consumers to discard any of the cookware they may own, and even refrain from using it for storage.
Is there a safe level of lead?
According to the FDA, there is no known safe level of exposure to lead, and even low levels can cause serious health problems. And it states, “Consuming food with elevated lead levels can contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood.”
The risks of lead exposure
The FDA explains that children and small babies are at particular risk because of their small size, metabolism, and rapid growth. Even at low levels, individuals can experience low IQ and behavorial changes. When exposed to higher levels of lead, symptoms are more obvious and may present themselves as fatigue, headache, stomach pain, vomiting, or neurologic changes.
Full details of the cookware tested by the FDA, which may cause lead to leach into food, can be found in the FDA’s alert.
The FDA continues to monitor cookware and will update the list if further products are discovered.
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