Officials have issues an urgent warning over kitchen goods that could leach chemicals linked to cancer and autism into food.
FDA investigators tested various items cookware items sold at retail locations in the US and identified four products that contain lead, a toxic metal that could make food unsafe for consumption.
All of the products – made by brands Tiger White, Silver Horse and JK Vallabhdas – were manufactured in India and made out of aluminum.
They include three circular, flat-bottomed pans, as well as a milk pan.
The items were located in three retail stores in New York (Mannan Supermarket) and Illinois (Patel Brothers and Indiacos), but it is unclear where else they could have been distributed.
Consumers have been advised to check their homes for the products and throw away any cookware that may contain lead.
Meanwhile, cookware retailers and distributors are being encouraged to consult with the FDA regarding the safety and regulatory status of any products.
Cookware, particularly certain imported aluminum, aluminum alloy and brass items, can contain lead that leaches into food, posing health risks.
FDA investigators tested various items of cookware sold at retail locations in the US and identified four products that contain lead that could make food unsafe for consumption (stock image)
These products may be made from recycled materials, such as car parts, which can contaminate the aluminum or brass during manufacturing.
A growing body of research has linked prolonged exposure to lead with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Beyond neurological effects, exposure to heavy metals has also been associated with cancer, kidney disease, birth defects, and cardiovascular dysfunction, as it builds up in vital organs and damages cells and neurons.
The FDA notes that even low levels of lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and fetuses, and there is no ‘safe’ level.
The agency noted: ‘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, health experts children may not have obvious symptoms but can still experience trouble learning, low IQ and behavior changes.
At higher levels of lead exposure, symptoms of lead poisoning can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavior or mood changes, delirium, seizures, and coma.
Additionally, lead exposure in adults can also lead to high blood pressure, kidney damage, increase the risk of cancer, reduce fertility and neurological issues.
In the US, the FDA has determined that there is no safe level of lead exposure in adults or children.
Lead is poisonous when inhaled, as well as through contact with the skin and ingestion.
The FDA has banned the use of lead in products that come into contact with food, including cookware.
Additionally, starting January 1, 2026, Washington state will become the first state to ban the sale and manufacture of metal cookware that contains more than five parts per million (ppm) of lead.
This ban extends to components like handles and knobs.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .