Can aluminum and brass cookware leach lead into food?
Yes. 2025 research found some aluminum and brass cookware leached enough lead to exceed child dietary limits under simulated cooking conditions.
What's actually in it
Cookware can contain trace metals from the alloy, recycled scrap, solder, coatings, or pigments. Lead is the main concern because there is no safe level for kids.
Acidic foods like tomato sauce, lemon, vinegar, and salty broths can pull more metal from cookware than plain water.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology tested aluminum, brass, and stainless steel cookware. Many aluminum pieces contained more than 100 ppm lead. Some aluminum and brass items leached enough lead to exceed child dietary limits by more than 1000x under simulated cooking and storage conditions. Stainless steel items leached much lower levels of lead.
A separate 2025 study in International Journal of Environmental Health Research boiled acidic, alkaline, and drinking-water solutions in common cooking utensils. Metal release changed by cookware material, brand, and pH.
The practical rule is simple: be careful with unknown aluminum, brass, or low-cost imported cookware, especially for acidic meals. Choose stainless steel or cast iron from a known source for daily cooking.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluating metal cookware as a source of lead exposure. | J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol | 2025 |
| Heavy metal transitions from cooking utensils to different solutions. | Int J Environ Health Res | 2025 |