Test result has shown that certain aluminum and brass cookware leach significant levels of lead (Pb) from the cookware used for cooking into food. Lead is toxic to humans hence food with high concentration of lead is unsafe for consumption. In the USA, FDA has warned against use of certain cookware items made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys produced by some units in lower and middle-income countries (LMICs) with limited quality standard and control. Evidence indicates that the traditional metalware from around the world may contain high levels of lead. Fellows, K.M et al (2024) evaluated aluminum cookware, brass items and stainless-steel items used in cooking and found that many aluminum and brass cookware products contained more than 100 parts per million (ppm) of lead. Under simulated conditions, many leached Lead (Pb) exceeding recommended dietary limits. A recent study by Binkhorst G., et al (2025) investigated potential lead exposure from aluminium cooking pots in lower and middle-income countries (LMICs) and found that total lead concentrations in the cooking pots average 1600 ppm and total and leachable lead concentrations were roughly proportional. This is an important public health concern because such cookware is widely used in many countries around the world.
The FDA has warned against use of certain imported cookware products made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys after test revealed leaching of significant levels of lead (Pb) into food when used for cooking, thereby making food unsafe. A list of such cookware products has been issued, and the users are advised to throw away such products. The stakeholders in the supply chain of such products are advised to discontinue dealing with such products.
Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and fetuses. Children and babies are more susceptible to lead toxicity.
It is known that the traditional metalware from around the world may contain high levels of lead, which can leach into food and drinks when used to prepare, serve or store food and drinks. Last year, in July 2024, blood lead screening in New York City had identified a pregnant woman and two family members with blood lead levels above reference value of 3.5 µg/dL. They had used traditional bronze and brass metalware to prepare and serve food and drinks.
In order to identify source of lead exposure, Fellows, K.M et al (2024) evaluated aluminum cookware, brass items and stainless-steel items used in cooking. It was found that many aluminum cookware products contained more than 100 parts per million (ppm) of lead. Under simulated cooking and storage conditions, many leached lead (Pb) exceeding recommended dietary limits. Brass cookpots also showed similar results yielding high lead levels. In this study, interestingly, stainless steel cookware leached much less lead compared to aluminum and brass items.
It is known that metal cookware produced by some units in lower and middle-income countries (LMICs) with limited quality standard and control have high lead concentrations. A recent study by Binkhorst G., et al (2025) has investigated potential lead exposure from aluminum cooking pots in lower and middle-income countries. An analysis of 113 mostly new aluminum pots from 25 LMICs revealed that total lead concentrations in the pots ranged from < 5 ppm to almost 16,000 ppm, averaging 1600 ppm, with the highest total lead concentrations in pots from Vietnam, Pakistan, Indonesia, and India. Leachable lead concentrations ranged from < 1–2900 μg/L averaging 100 μg/L after boiling 4 % acetic acid for 2 h. Total and leachable lead concentrations were roughly proportional. Cooking pots made by casting leached proportionally more lead compared to wrought pots made from rolled aluminum. Such lead concentrations could result in blood levels that exceed the intervention threshold of 5 μg/dL in children and women of child-bearing age. This confirmation of high lead concentrations in cookware is significant enough for public health intervention.
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References:
- FDA Issues Warning About Imported Cookware That May Leach Lead. Current as of 13 August 2025.Available at https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-issues-warning-about-imported-cookware-may-leach-lead-august-2025
- Hore P, Alex-Oni K, Sedlar S, Bardhi N, Ehrlich J. Elevated Blood Lead Levels in a Pregnant Woman and her Family from Traditional Kansa (Bronze) and Pital (Brass) Metalware — New York City, 2024. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2025; 74:298–301. 22 May 2025. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7418a1
- Fellows, K.M., Samy, S. & Whittaker, S.G. Evaluating metal cookware as a source of lead exposure. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 35, 342–350 (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-024-00686-7
- Binkhorst G., et al 2025. Potential lead exposure from aluminum cooking pots in lower and middle-income countries. Journal of Hazardous Materials. Vol. 492, 15 July 2025, 138134. DOI: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138134
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