KitchenAid Brand Paddle Attachment for Upright Counter-Top Stand Mixer, purchased new c. 2006: 644 ppm Lead

 

When tested with an XRF instrument this KitchenAid stand mixer paddle attachment  (purchased new, circa 2006) was positive for 644 ppm Lead. It is important to note that this is NOT the new (2018) stainless steel paddle, this is the “burnished” finish version of the paddle. I have not yet tested the new stainless paddles sold directly by KitchenAid or through Williams Sonoma’s website, but if they are 100% stainless steel they *should* be Lead-free. To read more about the concern for the Lead I have consistently found in these paddles, please Click HERE.

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The level of lead that is considered unsafe for an item intended for children is 90 ppm Lead (or higher) in the paint, coating or finish – and 100 ppm Lead (or higher) in the substrate – like the metal of a bare-metal item. Items like this are not regulated for total lead content (as detectable with an XRF instrument) as they are not considered to be “items intended for use by children.”

I have been told by my readers who have these burnished metal attachments that when they beat cookie dough (or similar) with this type of paddle, the paddle leaves gray streaks from the metal in the dough. As a result I would definitely be concerned about using this product and would not choose to have the bare metal version of this product in my home.

To be clear: I am NOT saying that this item will definitely poison you, but I AM asking… why is there any lead at all in our kitchen items? Especially newly or recently manufactured kitchen items? Lead is one of the most potent neurotoxins known to man, it causes permanent brain damage in young children and does not belong in our kitchens.
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Check out this blog post for a lead-free alternative.

And check out this blog post for more safer choices for your home!

As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts.

Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama