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A widespread recall is underway, involving various imported cookware items that pose a risk of lead contamination, which can potentially leach into the food prepared in them.
WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration has broadened its recall of foreign-manufactured cookware, which has been discovered to release hazardous lead levels into food. The latest update includes nine new products added to an expanding list that was first made public earlier this year.
This recent update, issued on November 24, marks the latest action taken by the FDA in collaboration with state agencies, following the initial August recall. Officials have cautioned consumers about specific cookware made from aluminum, brass, and certain alloys, commonly marketed under names like Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium, which have been found to contain “significant levels” of leachable lead.
The FDA has warned that such contamination renders food unsafe for consumption.
The agency stated that the latest additions to the recall are part of an ongoing investigative effort.
“Other cookware products may also be affected. FDA will continue to update this table with additional products as new information becomes available,” the agency said in an updated recall listing.
Recall spans multiple states and retailers
The expansion adds nine brands sold in stores across New York, California, New Jersey and Maryland. Newly recalled items include:
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Sonex Cookware sold at Alanwar Food Corp. (Balady Foods), Brooklyn, New York
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IKM / JSM Foods aluminum saucepan sold at India Metro Hypermarket, Fremont, California
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Kraftwares (India) Ltd. brass tope sold at India Metro Hypermarket, Fremont, California
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Kraftwares (India) Ltd. aluminum kadai (size 5) sold at India Metro Hypermarket, Fremont, California
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IKM/JSM Foods 4-quart pital brass pot sold at India Cash and Carry, Fremont, California
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Silver Horse aluminum caldero 28, degda 24, and degda 20 sold at Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, Rosedale, Maryland
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Chef/Shata Traders 24-cm milk pan sold at Punjab Supermarket & Halal Meats, Rosedale, Maryland
These additions join more than a dozen products identified in the FDA’s original recall, including kadai, milk pans and saucepans sold at retailers in New York, Illinois, California, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey.
Lead exposure poses severe health risks
Although no illnesses have been linked to this recall, health officials warn that there is no safe level of lead exposure.
Contamination can be especially dangerous for children, pregnant people and those who are breastfeeding due to heightened vulnerability.
Low-level exposure in children may cause learning problems, lower IQ and behavioral issues, often without visible symptoms. Higher exposure can result in headaches, stomach pain, vomiting, fatigue and neurological complications in both children and adults.
Earlier recall included a wide range of imported cookware
The FDA’s initial list included:
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Tiger White / Pure Aluminium Utensils / Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd. kadai sold in Jamaica, New York
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Silver Horse aluminum kadai and milk pans sold at Patel Brothers in Illinois
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JK Vallabhdas aluminum kadai sold at Indiaco in Illinois
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Kadai/Karahi hammered kadai sold at Indian Supermarket in Sacramento
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Brass Pot sold at Santos Agency Inc. in California
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Dolphin Brand aluminum saucepan sold in Chicago
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Town Food Service Equipment Co. aluminum saucepans sold in Washington, D.C.
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Royal Kitchen Cookware milk pan sold in New Jersey
What consumers should do
The FDA advises anyone who purchased cookware on the recall list to stop using it immediately and return it to the retailer for a full refund.
The agency is continuing its investigation and says more products could be added.
Consumers can check the FDA’s updated recall database for the latest information.
