Can metal cookware be a hidden source of lead in your food?
Yes. Some metal pots and pans, especially imported or decorative ones, can leach lead into food during cooking.
What's actually in it
Some metal cookware contains lead. It can show up in the glaze on ceramic-coated pans, in the solder that joins metal pieces, or in the alloy itself. Brass, copper, and some stainless steel blends are all possible culprits. You can't tell by looking at a pot whether it has lead in it.
What the research says
A 2025 study in J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol tested metal cookware as a potential source of lead exposure. The researchers found that certain pots and pans released measurable amounts of lead into food during normal cooking. The type of metal, the age of the cookware, and the acidity of the food all affected how much lead came out.
Cooking acidic foods like tomato sauce or lemon-based dishes pulled out more lead than cooking plain water. Older or scratched cookware was worse than new pieces. And some imported products had higher lead levels than those sold by well-known brands.
There's no safe level of lead exposure, especially for children and pregnant women. Even tiny amounts can affect brain development, blood pressure, and kidney function. If your cookware is old, imported, or has a chipped glaze, it's worth replacing.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluating metal cookware as a source of lead exposure | J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol | 2025 |
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