In a major update to public-health warnings, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its alert on imported cookware that may leach dangerous levels of lead, now listing 19 cookware items — including pots, pans, saucepans, and kadhai/kadai — that should be discarded immediately. This expanded list follows testing that identified previously unlisted products as unsafe for cooking or food storage. The recall underscores an urgent risk to consumer health, particularly for children, pregnant and breastfeeding individuals, and other vulnerable groups.
What triggered the expanded recall
The FDA first issued a formal warning in late 2024 to retailers and distributors of certain imported cookware made of aluminum, brass, or aluminum alloys (including those marketed as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium), following evidence that such products can leach lead when used to cook or store food. The decision was based on testing results provided by the public-health agency and state partners. These tests simulated cooking and food-contact conditions and found significant lead leaching — a clear risk to consumers.
In 2025, as part of ongoing sampling efforts, the FDA and state partners have added additional products to the warning list. The newly recalled cookware includes aluminum and brass items distributed under a variety of brand names, sold at ethnic grocery and specialty stores across multiple U.S. states. This incremental recall reflects not only the scope of the problem, but also the difficulty in tracing and regulating imported cookware manufactured abroad.
Which cookware items are affected (the 19 recalled products)
According to the FDA’s latest advisory, the 19 cookware items now considered unsafe include:
- Aluminum or brass cooking pots, pans, saucepans, and kadhai/kadai sets, many imported from India or other countries.
- Products from brand names such as Silver Horse, Royal Kitchen Cookware, Town Food Service Equipment Co., JK Vallabhdas, Dolphin Brand, Sonex Cookware, Kraftwares, and several unbranded aluminum/brass pots or kadais.
- Various item types: aluminum milk pans, hammered kadhai/kadai woks, saucepans (2-quart, 3-quart), brass tope/handi pots, degda/caldero-style pots, and more — many traditionally used in South Asian cooking.
The cookware was sold at retailers in multiple states including California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. The FDA warns the list may not be exhaustive, and additional items could be added as testing continues.
Health risks of lead exposure from cookware
Lead is a well-documented toxin with no known safe exposure level — especially when introduced into food. The FDA emphasizes that even small amounts leaching from cookware can accumulate over time, raising blood lead levels and causing serious health issues. Certain populations are especially vulnerable:
- Children and infants: Their bodies absorb lead more easily, and lead can impair brain development. Long-term exposure is linked to reduced IQ, behavioral problems, and learning difficulties.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Lead can cross the placenta or transfer via breast milk, potentially affecting fetal and infant development.
- General population: Even adults may experience symptoms like fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, cognitive impairment, and neurologic problems if exposed to elevated lead over time.
Because there is no “safe threshold,” the FDA recommends discarding any cookware known or suspected to leach lead and avoiding donation or reuse under any circumstances.
What consumers should do now
If you own cookware — especially aluminum or brass imported from overseas, or purchased from ethnic grocery stores or discount retailers — the FDA recommends taking the following steps immediately:
- Inspect your kitchen cupboards carefully. Compare your cookware against recalled-brand names and product types (milk pans, degdas, kadhai/kadai, saucepans, brass pots).
- Discard contaminated cookware safely. Do not use, donate, resell, or repurpose the items. Lead can pose risk even with minimal use over time.
- Do not store food in suspect cookware. Even if you’re not cooking, storing foods or liquids can still allow lead to leach.
- If you suspect exposure, contact a health care provider. Especially for children, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or anyone with symptoms of lead poisoning.
- Choose safer cookware alternatives. Opt for cookware made from safer materials such as stainless steel, cast iron, or high-quality, lead-free certified cookware.
Why this recall matters — and why imported aluminium/brass cookware poses a recurring risk
This expanded recall is significant for several reasons:
- Widespread distribution and usage: Many of the affected items are traditional cookware used for Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines — items such as kadhai/kadai, degda, or brass handi pots. These are common in immigrant and multicultural households, meaning risk may affect many families unaware of the recall.
- Regulatory gaps: There are no coatings or color additives that legally authorize lead use in cookware or food-contact materials in the United States. The FDA’s 2024 letter to retailers warned that imported cookware must comply with safety regulations, yet these items continued to enter the U.S. market. This signals persistent challenges in screening, import oversight, and supply-chain compliance for small, independent importers and ethnic stores.
- Ongoing testing and recall work: The FDA has clearly stated that its surveillance is ongoing, meaning more cookware could be added to the recall list. Consumers must remain vigilant and periodically check FDA announcements, especially before making new cookware purchases from importers or overseas sources.
Community and public-health impact: What experts and media are saying
Public-health experts stress that lead contamination from cookware is not a trivial or rare problem — but a serious contaminant risk with long-term consequences, particularly for children and vulnerable populations. The recall highlights systemic issues: small-scale importers distributing cookware without rigorous safety testing, limited regulatory oversight at point of sale for non-mainstream retailers, and the difficulty of tracking imported kitchenware sold via informal or ethnic-market channels.
Media coverage emphasizes that consumers should not assume all imported aluminum or brass cookware is safe, and that traditional cues — like price, “pure aluminum” labels, or ethnic-market branding — are not reliable indicators of safety. Many safe alternatives are available; the challenge lies in awareness and verification.
Safer cookware alternatives and what to look for
To avoid the lead contamination risk, consider the following types of cookware and safety criteria when selecting new kitchenware:
- Stainless steel cookware: Durable, non-reactive, widely available, and unlikely to leach heavy metals. Look for high-quality, triple-ply or 18/10 stainless steel for longevity and even heating.
- Cast iron cookware: Traditional and heavy, but generally safe when properly maintained. Requires seasoning to prevent rust, but no risk of lead leaching from modern cast-iron cookware when made correctly.
- Ceramic, enamel-coated cookware (lead-free certified): If properly manufactured and certified, these can be safe—but only if clearly labeled lead-free and from reputable manufacturers. Avoid chipped or degraded glaze surfaces.
- Verified non-toxic cookware brands: Seek brands that explicitly test products for heavy-metal leaching and publicly share test results. Prefer cookware sold by reputable retailers rather than informal importers or ethnic-market import shops.
- Avoid unidentified or unbranded imported aluminum/brass cookware: Especially those marketed as “pure aluminum,” “traditional,” or “hand-made” — unless the seller provides verified test certification.
What this means globally — and potential relevance beyond the U.S.
While the recall originates from the U.S. regulatory authorities, the problem is not limited to American kitchens. Many of the affected cookware items are imported from countries where aluminum or brass cookware is mass-manufactured, and similar products may be circulating in international markets — including those in Asia, Africa, and South Asia. Consumers worldwide should take note:
- Imported cookware in diaspora and immigrant communities: Families who purchase cookware from stores that cater to specific ethnic cuisines may unknowingly bring unsafe items into their homes.
- International second-hand markets: Donated or sold used cookware may change hands across borders; items considered unsafe in the U.S. could re-enter circulation elsewhere, posing a risk to new users.
- Need for global awareness: Public-health authorities in other countries may not have flagged these risks yet; consumers should proactively verify the safety of imported cookware, especially aluminum or brass items.
- Encouraging safer manufacturing standards: The recall underscores the importance of rigorous safety testing and certification for cookware manufacturers — especially those exporting to countries with strict food-safety regulations.
For households in regions like South Asia (including countries like Bangladesh), where aluminum and brass cookware are widely used, this recall may serve as a critical wake-up call. It highlights the need to examine cookware sources, ensure compliance with safety standards, and push for transparent certification of heavy-metal testing from manufacturers and sellers.
Conclusion
The expanded recall of 19 cookware items by the FDA is a stark reminder that cookware safety cannot be taken for granted — especially when dealing with imported aluminum and brass pots and pans. Lead contamination poses serious health risks, particularly to children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups. Consumers should immediately check their kitchens, discard any flagged cookware, and avoid using unverified imported cookware in the future. At the same time, safe, well-manufactured alternatives such as stainless steel, cast iron, and certified lead-free ceramic or enamel cookware are widely available. As the FDA continues to monitor and test cookware products, ongoing vigilance is essential — and safer cooking should begin with being careful about what’s in your pots and pans.
