Officials have issues an urgent warning over kitchen goods that could leach chemicals linked to cancer and autism into food.

FDA investigators conducted tests on various cookware items available at retail stores in the US and discovered that four products contained lead, a harmful metal that could pose a risk to food safety. 

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 products were found in three stores located in New York (Mannan Supermarket) and Illinois (Patel Brothers and Indiacos), but their distribution in other locations remains uncertain. 

Consumers have been advised to check their homes for the products and throw away any cookware that may contain lead. 

Cookware retailers and distributors are advised to discuss with the FDA regarding the safety and compliance status of any products they offer. 

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). 

Exposure to heavy metals is linked not only to neurological issues but also to cancer, kidney disease, birth defects, and heart problems, as they accumulate in critical organs, causing cellular and neural damage. 

The FDA warns that even minimal lead exposure can trigger severe health issues, particularly in children and unborn babies, and emphasizes that no level of exposure is considered safe. 

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.