From FDA: Letter to Retailers and Distributors of Cookware, December 12, 2024

Letter to Retailers and Distributors of Cookware

December 12, 2024

Dear Retailers and Distributors of Cookware:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is issuing this letter to inform you that certain imported cookware may leach lead (Pb) into food and that this cookware should not be distributed or sold in the U.S. market.

Specifically, some imported cookware products made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium demonstrated the potential to leach lead when tested under conditions designed to mimic their use in contact with food, according to information provided to the FDA by the Public Health Department of Seattle and King County (PHSKC) in Washington State.1,2 There is no known safe level of exposure to lead. The FDA is concerned that food cooked in these products could be served to small children, people of child-bearing age, and those who may be breastfeeding. Developing fetuses, infants, and children are particularly vulnerable to the potential harmful effects from lead exposure because of their smaller body sizes, metabolism, and rapid growth.

The FDA has placed a manufacturer of the cookware, Rashko Baba Co. Ltd., on an FDA import alert to help prevent the further sale of these products in the U.S. market. These products are subject to refusal of admission into the U.S. in that they appear to bear or contain an unsafe food additive. Cookware products that bear or contain an unsafe food additive are adulterated under 21 U.S.C. 342(a)(2)(C)(i). Offering an adulterated product for sale in interstate commerce is a prohibited act under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and the FDA will take action as appropriate when violative products are found on the U.S. market. Retailers and distributors of cookware should be aware that there may be similar products that leach lead, including Rashko Baba products subject to FDA’s import alert, that remain on the U.S. market. Therefore, we urge retailers and distributors of cookware products made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys known as Hindalium/Hindolium or Indalium/Indolium to take the necessary steps to confirm that such products do not leach lead into food. Various testing methods for leachable lead are available, or you may use FDA’s lead leach testing protocol.3

Retailers and distributors of cookware are responsible for ensuring the products they market and/or distribute for use in contact with food are safe for their intended use and comply with all FDA regulations. As always, retailers and distributors are encouraged to consult with the FDA regarding the safety and regulatory status of any products that they market or distribute used in contact with food. Questions for FDA related to this topic can be sent to premarkt@fda.hhs.gov.

Sincerely,

/S/

Kristi Muldoon-Jacobs, Ph.D.
Director, Acting
Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements, and Innovation (OFCSDSI)

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[1] PHSKC in collaboration with the University of Washington published two reports on their findings: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-022-00431-yExternal Link Disclaimer and https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-024-00686-7External Link Disclaimer

[2] PHSKC posted a table on their website of the specific cookware products demonstrating the most significant lead leaching based on their test results. Information provided on their website includes pictures, brands, and country of origin when available.

[3] “Elemental Analysis Manual (EAM) Method 4.6 Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometric Determination of Cadmium and Lead Extracted from Ceramic Foodware” (https://www.fda.gov/media/95170/download). To modify for cookware, instead of a 24-hour extraction at 22 °C ± 2 °C, the extraction conditions include a 2-hour boil followed by cooling and holding at room temperature for a total of 24 hours. All other method details remain the same.

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https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/letter-retailers-and-distributors-cookware

Image above from EDF: https://blogs.edf.org/health/2023/08/15/fda-says-cookware-that-exhibits-any-level-of-leachable-lead-upon-testing-is-prohibited/

HB 401 Signed By Governor

On July 17th, 2024, Governor Carney signed HB 401!

HB 401 requires the Delaware Division of Public Health to provide the results of lead screenings or tests to school nurses and require contracts or computer upgrades to include lead results.

School nurses are on the front lines of addressing the problem of childhood lead poisoning. Since 1995, Delaware’s school nurses have played an extremely valuable role in verifying all children entering kindergarten have received a blood lead screening. 

For example, over 2000 students were screened for lead at kindergarten enrollment in FY 2023, 80 of whom had a blood lead level at or above the CDC’s Blood Lead Reference Value of 3.5 µg/dL. 

Adding blood lead results to the information provided to school nurses will assist in making referrals for Individualized Education Programs, special education services, nutritional support, and improved health care within the school environment.

Tremendous thanks to Representative Larry Lambert, Senator Kyle Gay and Representative Sherry Dorsey Walker for championing this issue. 

And special thanks to Delaware School Nurse of the Year Donna O’Connor, who has championed this issue for many years, as well as the Delaware School Nurses Association, Delaware State Education Association (DSEA), Delaware Nurses Association, Delaware PTA and the Learning Disabilities Association of Delaware for writing letters of support, testifying and advocating in Legislative Hall for the passage of this bill.

Pa. Department of Health alerts Pennsylvanians about recalled children's toy due to possible lead exposure

Pa. Department of Health alerts Pennsylvanians about recalled children's toy due to possible lead exposure

Dixon Ticonderoga Creativity Street Foam Pattern Rollers were recalled on May 2 because its lead levels exceeded the federal content ban.

Author: Leah Hall

Published: 3:17 PM EDT May 9, 2024

Updated: 3:18 PM EDT May 9, 2024

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Health is warning parents and caregivers of a children's toy recall due to possible lead exposure. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of Dixon Ticonderoga Creativity Street Foam Pattern Rollers, typically used for painting by children, because its lead levels exceed the federal content ban. 

“Lead can be harmful if ingested, especially for a young child,” said Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “Parents and caregivers should not have to worry about their children’s toys making them sick. We want to get the recall message out to help protect and prevent potential harm to children. Product recalls like these are another example of why all children should be routinely screened for lead exposure.”

According to the Pa. Department of Health, approximately 2,880 sets were sold across Amazon, Staples, Walmart and more. The set retailed for approximately $15 and affected sets were bought between September 2023 through January 2024. 

The recall involves Creativity Street Foam Pattern Rollers with model PAC5170, intended for children to use when painting. Lot codes “02142080423” and “02142230523” are included in the recall and are printed on the back of the packaging, as shown below.

Consumers have been advised to immediately stop using the recalled foam pattern rollers and keep them away from children. They should also contact Dixon Ticonderoga to receive a pre-paid label to return the recalled product. When the foam pattern rollers are received, consumers will receive a full refund. The firm or retailer is reportedly contacting all known purchasers directly. 

According to CDC recommendations, all young children should be tested for lead exposure at least once, and when elevated, the tests should be repeated. Early identification of elevated lead levels can prevent the most serious effects so that all children can reach their full potential.

Parents and caregivers of children who may have used these rollers should contact their child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood lead test. 

The Department maintains a toll-free lead information hotline, 1-800-440-LEAD, to provide information about lead poisoning prevention, testing, follow-up, and local resources.

https://www.fox43.com/article/news/health/pa-department-of-health-alerts-pennsylvanians-recalled-childrens-toy-lead-exposure/521-547daecb-7d99-4b69-aab8-332caaf489f2

Red Clay School Nurse Donna O'Connor honored by Governor Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long

Lead-Free Delaware is excited to see Red Clay School Nurse Donna O'Connor honored by Governor Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long with a proclamation. Donna O'Connor is Delaware's 2024 School Nurse of the Year and is an amazing lead poisoning prevention advocate for Delaware's children.

New Castle County No-Lead Program

The New Castle County No-Lead Program is doing amazing lead abatement work in New Castle County, DE. Please find their contact info below. 

www.nccde.org/NOLEAD

Delaware Division of Public Health Reports High Levels of Lead in Certain Cinnamon Products

Dear Lead-Free Delaware Advocates,

We are sharing the alert information posted March 7th on Delaware's Health Alert Notification Page and Delaware.Gov News on March 8th. 

Please share with your networks as this alert expands the prior alert. 

DPH Reports High Levels of Lead in Certain Cinnamon Products

DOVER, DE (Mar. 8, 2024) – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified high lead levels in several ground cinnamon products. Several stores, including Dollar Tree, Save A Lot and Family Dollar, sold cinnamon products that contain lead levels that could be potentially harmful to consumers, particularly children. Signs and symptoms may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in activity level and anemia. No illnesses or other health effects have been reported to the FDA and Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) in connection with the new ground cinnamon alert.

The FDA recommended recalls this week of ground cinnamon from six distributors that had high lead levels, including:

• Marcum Ground Cinnamon from Save A Lot
• MK from SF Supermarket
• Swad Cinnamon Powder from Patel Brothers
• Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon from Dollar Tree and Family Dollar
• El Chilar from La Joya Morelense
• La Fiesta from La Superior SuperMercados

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores since voluntarily pulled these products from their shelves, and consumers can return these products for a refund.

The ground cinnamon products should not be purchased by consumers, and any containers at home should be disposed of immediately. To properly discard the product, consumers and retailers should carefully open the pouch or jar and empty the content into a trash can before discarding the packaging to prevent others from salvaging recalled product from the trash. Clean up any spills after discarding the product and then wash your hands.

DPH has notified health care providers via the Health Alert Network that several ground cinnamon products have high lead levels. Additionally, the agency encouraged providers to offer blood lead levels testing to those who have consumed these products and/or who have symptoms of lead poisoning. According to the FDA, here is no safe level of lead exposure for humans. Growing children are especially vulnerable to the effects of long-term lead exposure, including learning disabilities, behavioral difficulties and lower IQ.

DPH remains vigilant as it monitors statewide conditions. Lead screenings are also available at State Service Centers statewide. Cases can be reported to the DPH Office of Lead Poisoning Prevention by emailing HSPContact@Delaware.gov.

For more information about the ground cinnamon products, visit https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-alert-concerning-certain-cinnamon-products-due-presence-elevated-levels-lead. Other recalled products by the FDA can be found by visiting https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts.

Sandford Family Croquet Sets Recalled Due to Violations of the Federal Lead Paint and Phthalates Bans; Sold Exclusively on Amazon by DOM Sports

Name of Product:

Sandford Family 6-Player Croquet Sets

Hazard:

The paint or surface coating on the red mallet, blue mallet, red hoop, and winning post contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead paint ban, posing a lead poisoning hazard. In addition, the coating on the red and blue mallets contains levels of regulated phthalates that exceed the prohibition of specific phthalates. Lead and phthalates are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.

Remedy:

Replace

Recall Date:

February 29, 2024

Units:

About 113

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Sandford-Family-Croquet-Sets-Recalled-Due-to-Violations-of-the-Federal-Lead-Paint-and-Phthalates-Bans-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-by-DOM-Sports?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery