Washington, D.C., USA- January 13, 2020: FDA Sign at its headquarters in Washington DC. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or USFDA) is a federal agency of the USA.
Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a critical alert to both retailers and consumers regarding several imported cookware items that could release dangerous amounts of lead into food during cooking or storage. The agency strongly advises consumers to refrain from using these products and is instructing retailers to halt their sales immediately.
As per the FDA, specific aluminum and brass cookware—especially those crafted from materials such as Hindalium (also referred to as Hindolium or Indalium)—have been found to leach lead at harmful levels. These items are frequently imported and available in ethnic and specialty grocery stores throughout the U.S.
New Products Added to Watch List
As of September 12, 2025, the FDA added three new products to its alert list following further testing. These include:
| Brand and Product Name (Product Label) | Retailer | Manufacturer/Distributor | Product Photo(s) | Recall Status |
| 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* |
| Silver Horse (7 6554273084 5 Aluminium Mathar Kadai 26) Added to Table 9/12/25 | Patel Brothers830 W. Golf Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60194-1328 | Goyal Group Inc.179 Express St., Plainview, NY 11803 |  | Distributor notification in progress |
| Silver Horse (7 6554272863 7 Aluminium Milk Pan 4) Added to Table 9/12/25 | Patel Brothers830 W. Golf Rd.,Schaumburg, IL 60194-1328 | Goyal Group Inc.179 Express St.Plainview, NY 11803 |  | Distributor notification in progress |
| JK Vallabhdas(Aluminium Kadai India Bazaar #3 2000000772) Added to Table 9/12/25 | INDIACO15 Golf Ctr., #17,Hoffman Estates, IL 60169-4910 | Grain Market LLC12626 International Pkwy.Dallas, TX |  | Distributor notification in progress |
Note: The FDA has not been able to contact a responsible party to initiate a recall for this product, raising concerns that it may still be on store shelves.
Public Health Risks of Lead Exposure
Lead is a potent neurotoxin, and even minimal exposure can have lasting health effects. According to the FDA, there is no safe level of lead exposure, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
In children, low-level lead exposure can result in developmental delays, behavioral changes, and learning difficulties. In more severe cases or with prolonged exposure, symptoms may include fatigue, vomiting, abdominal pain, and neurological impairments.
Recommendations for Consumers and Retailers
The FDA is urging the following immediate actions:
Consumers:
- Stop using any cookware identified in the FDA alert.
- Do not donate or attempt to refurbish the cookware.
- Discard affected products properly.
- Contact a healthcare provider if concerned about potential lead exposure.
Retailers & Distributors:
- Immediately halt the sale of the listed cookware.
- Conduct testing for leachable lead in any food-contact cookware.
- Consult with the FDA regarding compliance and safety protocols.
Retailers are responsible for ensuring that all cookware sold in the U.S. meets FDA safety standards. Those with questions or seeking guidance can contact the agency at premarkt@fda.hhs.gov
Ongoing Investigation
The FDA is currently conducting tests and monitoring the market. The agency will keep its alert list updated as more products undergo testing. Depending on future discoveries, there may be additional recalls and warnings.
For the most recent information and updates, both consumers and businesses can check the FDA’s safety information page or sign up for FDA alerts.
Imported aluminum cookware sold under brands such as Silver Horse, Tiger White, and JK Vallabhdas has been found to leach harmful levels of lead. The FDA advises against using these products and is actively working to eliminate them from the market to safeguard public health.
