The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a stark warning to consumers: certain imported cookware may be leaching dangerous levels of lead into your food. The alert, released this week, comes after tests revealed that cookware made from aluminum, brass, and certain aluminum alloys—marketed under names like Hindalium, Hindolium, Indalium, or Indolium—poses a serious health risk.
At the center of the warning is cookware manufactured by Saraswati Strips Pvt. Ltd. of India, sold under the Tiger White brand and distributed in the U.S. through Mannan Supermarket in Jamaica, New York. Because the FDA has not been able to identify a distributor to coordinate a recall, these products may still be sitting on store shelves.
Why does this matter? Lead exposure is extremely dangerous, and no level of exposure is considered safe. The FDA stresses that even small amounts of lead can harm the brain and nervous system, particularly in children and unborn babies. Long-term exposure is linked to learning difficulties, reduced IQ, behavior changes, and developmental delays. In adults, lead poisoning can trigger fatigue, stomach pain, headaches, vomiting, and even neurological damage.
For parents, the risks are especially alarming: children are more vulnerable because of their smaller body size and rapid growth. And because lead exposure doesn’t always produce immediate symptoms, families may not even realize the danger until it’s too late.
The FDA’s guidance is clear: if you own this cookware, stop using it immediately and throw it away. Do not donate or refurbish it, as it could endanger others. Consumers worried about exposure should contact their healthcare provider for testing.
The agency continues to investigate and warns retailers to carefully review any cookware they sell to ensure it meets U.S. safety standards. Your next meal shouldn’t come with a side of lead.
