Cookware safety watchlist
8 cookware materials ranked by lead, cadmium, and PFAS contamination. Data from Lead Safe Mama independent testing, Pure Earth studies, Consumer Reports, and manufacturer testing disclosures.
Evidence-based watchlist, not COA-verified ranking
Alternative Health trust rule: any cookware product without a public, downloadable COA or equivalent product-level lab report is automatically docked 50 points and cannot enter the COA-verified tier. The products on this page are ordered using the best public evidence we could find -- certifications, investigative testing, regulatory filings, and independent lab summaries -- but they are not treated as full COA-backed products like the bottled water rankings.
Le Creuset yellow enamel
19,600 ppm cadmium + 48 ppm lead (Lead Safe Mama testing)
Always Pan (Our Place)
34 ppm lead detected despite "non-toxic" marketing
Material safety rankings
Stainless Steel (uncoated)
SafestPFAS
None
Lead
ND
Cadmium
ND
Trace nickel and chromium leaching (safe for most people)
Brands: All-Clad, Demeyere, Fissler, Tramontina
Consistently tests lead-free. No coatings to degrade. Nickel leaching is a concern only for those with severe nickel allergy. Best all-around safe choice.
Cast Iron (unseasoned/bare)
SafestPFAS
None
Lead
ND
Cadmium
ND
Leaches iron (generally beneficial, concern for hemochromatosis)
Brands: Lodge, Smithey, Lancaster, Victoria
Multiple brands tested lead-free by Lead Safe Mama. Iron leaching is typically beneficial. Requires seasoning. Extremely durable -- lasts generations.
Carbon Steel
SafestPFAS
None
Lead
ND
Cadmium
ND
Same iron leaching as cast iron, lighter weight
Brands: de Buyer, Matfer Bourgeat, BK, Merten and Stork
Similar safety profile to cast iron. PFAS-free. No coatings. Requires seasoning. Preferred by professional chefs.
Glass / Borosilicate
SafestPFAS
None
Lead
ND
Cadmium
ND
Thermal shock risk (shattering). Not for stovetop.
Brands: Pyrex, Anchor Hocking, OXO Glass
Inert material. No metal leaching. Lead-free glass formulations widely available. Best for baking and storage.
Ceramic Non-Stick (PFAS-free coatings)
Mixed resultsPFAS
Claimed PFAS-free
Lead
Variable (0-34 ppm)
Cadmium
Variable
Coating degradation, underlying metals, inconsistent testing
Brands: GreenPan, Caraway, Our Place, Xtrema
Marketing claims exceed testing data. Always Pan: 34 ppm lead detected. Xtrema: 14 metals found despite 'metals-free' claim. GreenPan tested cleaner. Coating lifespan 1-3 years.
Enameled Cast Iron
Mixed resultsPFAS
None
Lead
Detected (varies)
Cadmium
Up to 19,600 ppm
Bright colors (yellow, orange, red) test highest for cadmium
Brands: Le Creuset, Staub, Lodge Enameled
Le Creuset yellow: 19,600 ppm cadmium, 48 ppm lead (Lead Safe Mama). May comply with FDA leach tests but total metal content is high. Neutral colors (black, white) test significantly lower.
Traditional Non-Stick (PTFE/Teflon)
ConcerningPFAS
Contains PFAS (PTFE)
Lead
ND
Cadmium
ND
PFAS release at high heat (>200C), microplastic generation from scratches
Brands: T-fal, Calphalon, Cuisinart non-stick
Contains three types of PFAS. Releases concerning gases above 400F. Scratched pans generate PFAS-containing microplastics. EPA has identified PFAS as a significant health concern. Being phased out by many manufacturers.
Imported Aluminum/Brass
ConcerningPFAS
None
Lead
Up to 100+ ppm, leaches 1,400x child limit
Cadmium
Variable
Extreme lead leaching, especially handmade/imported pieces
Brands: Imported traditional cookware from South Asia, Central Asia
Pure Earth study found aluminum cookpots from Afghanistan leached lead at 1,400x childhood dietary limits. Brass cookpots from India exceeded limits by 1,200x. FDA issued recalls for imported cookware. Avoid for daily cooking.
Quick guide
For everyday cooking: stainless steel or cast iron. Both test lead-free, PFAS-free, and are the most durable options.
For non-stick needs: well-seasoned cast iron or carbon steel. If you must use a coated pan, GreenPan tests cleaner than competitors.
For baking: glass (Pyrex, borosilicate). Completely inert, no leaching risk.
Avoid: brightly colored enameled cookware for acidic foods. PTFE non-stick at high heat. Imported unregulated aluminum or brass.
Common questions
Does Le Creuset contain lead?
Yes. Independent testing by Lead Safe Mama found a yellow Le Creuset enameled sauce pan (c. 2013, made in France) tested at 19,600 ppm cadmium and 48 ppm lead. Le Creuset likely complies with FDA leach testing requirements, but the total metal content in the enamel is significantly higher than in uncoated alternatives. Brightly colored enameled cookware (yellow, orange, red) tends to test higher for cadmium and lead than neutral colors.
Is non-stick cookware safe?
Traditional PTFE (Teflon) non-stick coatings contain PFAS that can release concerning gases above approximately 200C (400F) and generate microplastics when scratched. Newer ceramic non-stick coatings (GreenPan, Caraway, Our Place) are marketed as PFAS-free but have limited independent testing for metal content. The safest non-stick alternatives are well-seasoned cast iron and carbon steel.
What is the safest cookware material?
Stainless steel and cast iron consistently test safest in independent heavy metal testing. Both are PFAS-free by nature. Stainless steel can leach small amounts of nickel and chromium under normal cooking conditions but at levels considered safe for most people. Cast iron leaches iron, which is generally beneficial. Carbon steel is also safe -- similar to cast iron but lighter.
Are ceramic-coated pans actually non-toxic?
The 'non-toxic' marketing on ceramic-coated pans is largely unregulated. The Always Pan from Our Place tested positive for 34 ppm lead plus chromium, titanium, nickel, and manganese despite marketing claims. Xtrema/Ceramcor, which claimed 'metals-free' ceramic, was found to contain 14 different metals. The ceramic coating itself may be PFAS-free, but the underlying materials and glazes can contain heavy metals.
Data sources
Lead Safe Mama -- XRF and third-party lab testing of cookware for lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic. Community-funded, independent.
Pure Earth (2024) -- protocol for testing metal cookware, study of aluminum and brass cookpots from South/Central Asia.
Consumer Reports -- tested enameled cast iron for lead, cadmium, arsenic.
Nature (2024) -- peer-reviewed study on lead leaching from aluminum and brass cookware.