FDA Warns Consumers: Aluminum and Brass Cookware May Be Leaching Dangerous Levels of Lead into Food

Your Cookware Could Be Poisoning Your Family: What the FDA Found About Imported Pots and Pans

Families trust the cookware they use every day to be safe, especially when preparing meals for children or expecting mothers. But that trust may be misplaced. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alarming warning about certain aluminum and brass cookware imported into the United States. These items are made from materials like Hindalium and Indalium, aluminum alloys that testing has shown can leach hazardous levels of lead into food.

This exposure is not just theoretical. The FDA’s September update expands the scope of a warning first issued in August, identifying even more brands and retailers where the cookware was sold. The potential consequences are severe. Lead exposure, even at very low levels, can result in serious and irreversible harm to children, pregnant individuals, and adults.

What the FDA Discovered in Imported Cookware

In August 2025, the FDA alerted the public to imported cookware made of aluminum, brass, or specific aluminum alloys like Hindalium and Indalium that were found to leach dangerous levels of lead. These pots and pans, often sold as kadai or karahi, are commonly used in Indian, Pakistani, and other South Asian cooking.

By September, the FDA had updated its warning to include additional cookware brands sold at retailers in New York and Illinois, including:

• Patel Brothers
• INDIACO
• Mannan Supermarket

The agency explicitly recommended that consumers discard these products immediately and not donate them to others. Testing confirmed that these items leach lead during food preparation or storage, putting families at risk with every meal.

Why Lead Exposure from Cookware Is So Dangerous

The danger of lead in cookware lies in its cumulative effect on the human body. The FDA is clear: There is no safe level of lead exposure. Even very low levels can cause permanent neurological damage, especially in developing brains.

For children, this includes:

• Reduced IQ
• Learning difficulties
• Behavioral problems
• Developmental delays

For pregnant women and unborn children, lead exposure can lead to:

• Miscarriage
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Cognitive impairment in the fetus

Adults are not immune. Long-term exposure to lead may result in:

• High blood pressure
• Kidney damage
• Neurological changes
• Fertility problems

Because these cookware products release lead directly into food during cooking or storage, the exposure risk is not limited to one meal—it grows over time.

Which Products Were Named in the Recall Warning?

Here are some of the products specifically identified by the FDA in its expanded recall:

1. Brand: Kadai/Karahi (Tiger White, Pure Aluminium Utensils Tm, Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd.)

1. • Retailer: Mannan Supermarket, Jamaica, NY

1. Brand: Silver Horse (7 6554273084 5 Aluminium Mathar Kadai 26)

1. • Retailer: Patel Brothers, Schaumburg, IL

1. Brand: Silver Horse (7 6554272863 7 Aluminium Milk Pan 4)

1. • Retailer: Patel Brothers, Schaumburg, IL

1. Brand: JK Vallabhdas Aluminium Kadai

1. • Retailer: INDIACO, Hoffman Estates, IL

The FDA emphasized that these items should not be resold, reused, or donated, as doing so continues the cycle of exposure for others.

How Does Lead Get into Food from Cookware?

The cookware identified by the FDA is made from low-cost, recycled metals or unregulated alloys, including types of aluminum mixed with lead or brass containing lead impurities. During the cooking process, especially when the cookware is exposed to:

• Heat
• Acidic foods (like tomatoes or vinegar)
• Long storage durations

Lead migrates from the cookware surface into the food. This means that each time someone cooks with these pans, more lead may be ingested, silently building up in the body over weeks or months.

Who Is Most at Risk from This Toxic Exposure?

While anyone consuming food prepared in lead-leaching cookware is at risk, some groups face more serious consequences:

• Infants and toddlers are most vulnerable. Their developing bodies absorb lead more easily and are more susceptible to its neurological effects.
• Pregnant women and their fetuses are at high risk because lead can cross the placenta and interfere with fetal development.
• Immune-compromised individuals, including cancer patients and the elderly, may experience intensified symptoms and complications.
• Children with frequent home-cooked meals made using these pots and pans may have sustained exposure.

These risks are particularly concerning in multi-generational households where family members of all ages share meals and may not recognize early signs of lead poisoning.

Legal Implications: Product Liability and Consumer Protection

Consumers who unknowingly purchased and used cookware that exposed them or their families to lead may have valid legal claims. Possible avenues of legal action include:

• Product Liability Lawsuits: Manufacturers and distributors may be held responsible for selling dangerous or defective cookware.
• Negligence: Retailers and importers who failed to test or warn about lead content may be liable.
• Violation of Consumer Protection Laws: States have laws prohibiting the sale of hazardous goods to the public.

Families affected by these products may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses (testing, treatment, ongoing care)
• Loss of income
• Emotional distress
• Developmental therapies for children
• Long-term neurological damage

What Consumers Should Do Next

The FDA strongly recommends that consumers:

• Immediately stop using any of the cookware listed in the warning.
• Do not donate or resell the products.
• Safely dispose of the cookware to avoid environmental or community exposure.
• Get tested: Individuals, especially children, who may have been exposed should undergo a blood lead level test through their doctor or local health department.
• Keep receipts or documentation of where the product was purchased to assist in any future claims.

Lead in Cookware Lawsuit FAQs

What is the danger of lead in cookware?

Lead can leach into food during cooking and storage, especially in acidic or hot conditions. This exposure builds up over time and can lead to severe health issues, particularly in children, pregnant individuals, and the elderly.

How do I know if my cookware contains lead?

The FDA recall includes specific products and brands. If your cookware matches any listed items, you should stop using it immediately. Other unbranded or imported cookware may also be suspect. Testing kits are available, but professional lab testing offers more accurate results.

Can I get tested for lead exposure?

Yes. Blood lead level tests are available through your physician or local health department. This is especially important for children or pregnant women who may have consumed food cooked in the recalled pots and pans.

What should I do with cookware that may contain lead?

Do not donate or give it away. The FDA recommends discarding it in a way that prevents reuse. Place it in a sealed bag and dispose of it through your municipal trash collection or hazardous waste facility.

Can I sue if I or my child was harmed by contaminated cookware?

Yes. If lead exposure from cookware caused health problems, you may be eligible to file a product liability or negligence claim against the manufacturer, importer, or retailer.

Do I need proof of purchase to file a lawsuit?

Proof of purchase helps but is not always required. Photographs of the cookware, medical documentation, and store records may also be used as evidence.

Is there a time limit to file a claim?

Each state has its own statute of limitations. It’s critical to act quickly and speak with a lawyer who can preserve your rights and investigate the facts of your case.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For A Free Case Review

If you or someone in your family has used imported aluminum or brass cookware now identified in the FDA recall, and experienced health issues or elevated lead levels, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Parker Waichman LLP is a national personal injury law firm actively investigating claims related to toxic cookware and consumer product recalls.

Call 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) now for a free and confidential consultation. We are here to help you understand your legal rights and fight for justice on your behalf. Don’t wait! Lead poisoning cases can have lifelong consequences, and time may be limited to file a claim. Regardless of your location or where your injury occurred, our nationwide product injury law firm is ready to assist you.