FDA Issues Warning About Imported Cookware That May Leach Lead:

August 2025

 

Retailers should not sell and consumers should not use certain cookware because of their potential to leach lead into food when cooking.

The lead tainted pan right now Aug 15 2025 can only be found on ebay.

But the name kadai,is not a brand name.

A kadai, also spelled karahi or kadahi, is a deep, circular cooking pot with a flat bottom and sloped sides, originating from the Indian subcontinent. It's used in Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Afghan, and Caribbean cuisines. The word "karahi" or "kadahi" can refer to both the cooking pot itself and the dishes prepared in it.

Alerts, Advisories & Safety Information

What’s the Problem?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning retailers and consumers not to sell or use certain imported cookware  that may leach significant levels of lead (Pb) into food. Some types of imported cookware products made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium have been tested by FDA and state partners, and found to leach lead into foodExternal Link Disclaimer when used for cooking, thereby making food unsafe. Young children, women of child-bearing age, and those who are breastfeeding may be at higher risk for potential adverse events after eating food cooked using these products. 

Recommendation

Consumers should check their homes for the products listed below and throw away any cookware that may be able to leach lead into food when used for cooking or food storage.

Do not donate or refurbish this cookware.

Consumers who have concerns about lead exposure or elevated levels of lead should contact their health care provider.

Retailers and distributors are responsible for ensuring cookware sold and/or distributed for use in contact with food are safe for their intended use and comply with all FDA regulations.

Various testing methods for leachable lead are available, or retailers/distributors may use FDA’s lead leach testing protocol for cookware.

Retailers and distributors of cookware are encouraged to consult with the FDA regarding the safety and regulatory status of any products used in contact with food that they market or distribute. 

Questions for FDA related to this topic can be sent to premarkt@fda.hhs.gov...

 

Tested Products

The product(s) listed below are cookware tested by FDA. FDA’s analysis demonstrates that such products may leach lead into food. Potentially affected products are not limited to this list. Additional products will be added to this alert as needed.

Brand and Product Name 

Retailer

Manufacturer 

Kadai/Karahi 

Tiger White

(PURE ALLUMINIUM UTENSILS TM TIGER WHITE RTM NO: 2608606 AN ISO 9001:2015 Certified Co. SARASWATI STRIPS PVT. LTD. INDIA)

Mannan Supermarket 

166-11 Hillside Ave. 1st 

FL, Jamaica, NY 11432, 

New York

SARASWATI 

STRIPS PVT.

LTD. 

 

FDA unable to identify the distributor responsible for effectuating a recall*

*Because FDA could not identify and contact the distributor or responsible party to facilitate a recall, this product may still be sold as cookware in retail stores. Retailers should discontinue sale, and consumers should not use this product as cookware or food storage.

Health Concerns from Lead Exposure

Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status, and there is no known safe level of exposure to lead. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and fetuses. 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, children may not have obvious symptoms but can still experience trouble learning, low IQ, and behavior changes. At higher levels of lead exposure, people may experience fatigue, headache, stomach pain, vomiting or neurologic changes.

Summary and Scope of the Problem

There are no FDA regulations that authorize lead for use as a color additive or food additive (including as a component of foodware, cookware, or food contact surfaces). In order to protect public health, FDA monitors levels of lead in foods and leachable lead levels in cookware. The FDA collaborates with state and federal partners, industry, and other stakeholders to identify and facilitate the implementation of sustainable and effective strategies for growing, sourcing, processing, and manufacturing foods to support lowering levels of environmental contaminants, such as lead, while maintaining their nutritional quality and accessibility.

Actions

FDA is actively working to remove cookware from the market that may leach lead into food when used for cooking. FDA’s surveillance is ongoing. Additional products will be added to this alert as needed.