![Made In France (c. 2013) Yellow Le Creuset Sauce Pan [#21]: 19,600 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen) + 48 ppm Lead.](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Yellow-2013-Le-Creuset-Number-21-Sauce-Pan-Lead-Safe-Mama-a.jpg)
c. 2013 Yellow Le Creuset Frying Pan with Lid
The owner of this #21 Le Creuset (Made In France) yellow 2-1/4 quart frying pan, told me he purchased it about 6 years ago — which would be c. 2013. He shared two pans with me, each that were purchased about the same time. Click here to see the second pan (also yellow).
Please note that both Antimony and Cadmium are known – or “suspected” – carcinogens (depending on which agency or research institute you talk to!), and in my opinion are consequently not elements that belong in our cookware, regardless of a manufacturer’s claims — including the ever-popular “there are ‘independent studies’ showing that they [merely] do not leach or impact the food” [at the time of manufacture]. Separate from the impact to the end user, the problem with Cadmium and Antimony in cookware goes far beyond whatever level of immediate threat they may pose to a user of the newly-manufactured product. By using high levels of Cadmium in manufacturing, Le Creuset has – apparently for decades – been causal in contributing to “the demand for” the mining, refining and manufacturing of a toxic pigment that can (and does) poison others (workers, communities, waterways, the planet) through various processes/at multiple points throughout their manufactured products’ life cycles.
What should we – as consumers – do about this?
It is for the above reasons that I suggest boycotting Le Creuset entirely until they make a public statement taking responsibility for their environmental transgressions of the past, and promise to no longer use these toxicants in their products in the future.
The level of Lead found in this particular pan is considered safe by all modern standards. That said – I don’t think there is ANY place for ANY AMOUNT OF LEAD on the cooking surface of pots and pans we might use for food purposes, and especially ones we might use on a daily basis and ones we specifically purchase (in response to the company’s marketing materials) with the intention of passing them down to our children and grandchildren.
Note: based on my testing to date, some of the newer products in neutral colors (grays and sand colors) are negative (or low) for toxicants – as compared to their brightly-colored counterparts.
To see more Le Creuset pieces I have tested, click here.
When tested with an XRF instrument, the pot pictured here had the following readings…
Exterior yellow side of pan:
(see image below, tested for a minimum of 60 seconds – one minute):
- Cadmium (Cd): 15,800 +/- 300 ppm
- Barium (Ba): 827 +/- 169 ppm
- Chromium (Cr): 372 +/ 150 ppm
- Antimony (Sb): 545 +/- 75 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 17,300 +/- 400 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 1,246 +/- 108 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 35,100 +/- 1,200 ppm
Continue reading below the image.
![Made In France (c. 2013) Yellow Le Creuset Sauce Pan [#21]: 19,600 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen) + 48 ppm Lead.](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Yellow-2013-Le-Creuset-Number-21-Sauce-Pan-Lead-Safe-Mama-k.jpg)
Inside white of lid:
(see image below, tested for a minimum of 120 seconds – 2 minutes):
- Lead (Pb): 46 +/- 19 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): 128 +/- 15 ppm
- Chromium (Cr): 2,061 +/- 220 ppm
- Antimony (Sb): 172 +/- 30 ppm
- Tin (Sn): 98 +/- 24 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 4,513 +/- 228 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 405 +/- 83 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 92,400 +/- 3,100 ppm
- Vanadium (V): 1,567 +/- 273 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 141,100 +/- 4,500 ppm
- Indium (In): 33 +/- 16 ppm
- Palladium (Pd): 16 +/- 7 ppm
- Silver (Ag): 19 +/- 8 ppm
- Cobalt (Co): 8,920 +/- 561 ppm
- Magnesium (Mn): 1,727 +/- 368 ppm
- Second test (30 seconds): Lead (Pb): 66 +/- 27 ppm
Continue reading below the image.
![Made In France (c. 2013) Yellow Le Creuset Sauce Pan [#21]: 19,600 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen) + 48 ppm Lead.](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Yellow-2013-Le-Creuset-Number-21-Sauce-Pan-Lead-Safe-Mama-e.jpg)
Outside (flat) yellow bottom of pan:
(see image below, tested for a minimum of 60 seconds / 1-minute):
- Cadmium (Cd): 19,600 +/- 400 ppm
- Barium (Ba): 745 +/- 182 ppm
- Chromium (Cr): 634 +/ 168 ppm
- Antimony (Sb): 748 +/- 86 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 14,700 +/- 300 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 834 +/- 99 ppm
- Bismuth (Bi): 33 +/- 18 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 34,000 +/- 1,200 ppm
Continue reading below the image.
![Made In France (c. 2013) Yellow Le Creuset Sauce Pan [#21]: 19,600 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen) + 48 ppm Lead.](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Yellow-2013-Le-Creuset-Number-21-Sauce-Pan-Lead-Safe-Mama-i.jpg)
Inside white food surface of pan:
(see image below, tested for a minimum of 180 seconds – 3 minutes):
- Lead (Pb): 29 +/- 13 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): 149 +/- 12 ppm
- Chromium (Cr): 2,477 +/ 189 ppm
- Antimony (Sb): 244 +/- 23 ppm
- Tin (Sn): 87 +/- 17 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 4,428 +/- 167 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 275 +/- 56 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 15,400 +/- 600 ppm
- Vanadium (V): 1,666 +/- 239 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 145,300 +/- 3,900 ppm
- Indium (In): 43 +/- 12 ppm
- Palladium (Pd): 10 +/- 5 ppm
- Silver (Ag): 17 +/- 6 ppm
- Cobalt (Co): 2,221 +/- 201 ppm
- Magnesium (Mn): 2,271 +/- 318 ppm
- Second test (30 seconds): Lead (Pb): 29 +/- 17 ppm
Continue reading below the image.
![Made In France (c. 2013) Yellow Le Creuset Sauce Pan [#21]: 19,600 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen) + 48 ppm Lead.](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Yellow-2013-Le-Creuset-Number-21-Sauce-Pan-Lead-Safe-Mama-d.jpg)
Bare metal edge (without enamel) of lid of pan:
(see image below, tested for a minimum of 30 seconds):
- Cadmium (Cd): 213 +/- 49 ppm
- Chromium (Cr): 1,242 +/ 341 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 1,551 +/- 287 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 1,186 +/- 314 ppm
- Nickel (Ni): 905 +/- 436 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 757,000 +/- 47,000 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 9,807 +/- 1,405 ppm
- Cobalt (Co): 6,662 +/- 1,399
- Magnesium (Mn): 6,413 +/- 731
Note: with the edge of the pan (test above), the component is not flat, and does not fully fill the scope. As a result, the level of Iron in the bare metal (as well as some of the other metals) is likely much higher than being reported by the instrument. Additionally, the trace Cadmium detected might be from a thin edge of the enameled surface being in the scope (due to the shape and nature of the component being tested).
Continue reading below the image.
![Made In France (c. 2013) Yellow Le Creuset Sauce Pan [#21]: 19,600 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen) + 48 ppm Lead.](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Yellow-2013-Le-Creuset-Number-21-Sauce-Pan-Lead-Safe-Mama-g.jpg)
Screw on inside of center of lid:
(see image below, tested for a minimum of 30 seconds, noted as Metal-302HQ)
- Chromium (Cr): 171,300 +/- 1,700
- Zinc (Zn): 1,274 +/- 228 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 23,900 +/- 1,000 ppm
- Nickel (Ni): 76,700 +/- 1,700 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 690,800 +/- 2,900 ppm
- Vanadium (V): 1,348 +/- 546 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 8,457 +/- 955 ppm
- Cobalt (Co): 3,867 +/- 1,532 ppm
- Magnesium (Mn): 20,000 +/- 1,400 ppm
Continue reading below the image.
![Made In France (c. 2013) Yellow Le Creuset Sauce Pan [#21]: 19,600 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen) + 48 ppm Lead.](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Yellow-2013-Le-Creuset-Number-21-Sauce-Pan-Lead-Safe-Mama-h.jpg)
If a metal is not listed in any of the above readings, it was “non-detect” (negative).
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama ![Made In France (c. 2013) Yellow Le Creuset Sauce Pan [#21]: 19,600 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen) + 48 ppm Lead.](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Yellow-2013-Le-Creuset-Number-21-Sauce-Pan-Lead-Safe-Mama-b.jpg)
![Made In France (c. 2013) Yellow Le Creuset Sauce Pan [#21]: 19,600 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen) + 48 ppm Lead.](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Yellow-2013-Le-Creuset-Number-21-Sauce-Pan-Lead-Safe-Mama-c.jpg)
![Made In France (c. 2013) Yellow Le Creuset Sauce Pan [#21]: 19,600 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen) + 48 ppm Lead.](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Yellow-2013-Le-Creuset-Number-21-Sauce-Pan-Lead-Safe-Mama-f.jpg)
![Made In France (c. 2013) Yellow Le Creuset Sauce Pan [#21]: 19,600 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen) + 48 ppm Lead.](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Yellow-2013-Le-Creuset-Number-21-Sauce-Pan-Lead-Safe-Mama-j.jpg)
![Made In France (c. 2013) Yellow Le Creuset Sauce Pan [#21]: 19,600 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen) + 48 ppm Lead.](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Yellow-2013-Le-Creuset-Number-21-Sauce-Pan-Lead-Safe-Mama-l.jpg)
![Made In France (c. 2013) Yellow Le Creuset Sauce Pan [#21]: 19,600 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen) + 48 ppm Lead.](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Yellow-2013-Le-Creuset-Number-21-Sauce-Pan-Lead-Safe-Mama-m.jpg)
Hi Tamara, Has the Red or Brown Le Creuset mugs have been tested? Do they contain lead or cadmium?
Hi Isabelle,
I haven’t tested the Le Creuset mugs yet (that I can recall.)
Tamara
Tamara, thank you for publicly sharing all the information that you do.
I too would be interested to know the heavy metal information about the mugs of Le Creuset. I have unsuccessfully searched your site to find that information, about 2 sizes of Le Creuset mugs.
1. I already have and use an Espresso sized, yellow mug from Le Creuset. I use it (for food or drink) multiple times every day. It has no chips. I purchased it new around 4 (four) years ago. Except for its tiny size, the mug is identical to the larger Le Creuset mugs. I would not use this handy item if I knew it contained either heavy metals, or any lead at all.
2. Also, Costco (in Canada) is currently selling — right in its entrance area — sets of 6 or 8, full-sized Le Creuset mugs. (I don’t recall which number.) All the mugs in the sets are a solid and bright colour. But the mugs vary in colour from one mug to the next.
If they are ceramic they likely have test results similar to the other Le Creuset ceramic items here on the site… check those out for starters.
What cookware do you now use?
Hi Tmara, i live in Portugal, and i`ve found your Le Creuset post. Bravo to you. Can you advice me any pan or skillet that doesen`t leaches ?best regards
Thank you for this info. Astounded as I purchased le creuset as an alternative to the aluminum leeching pans and now I’m sad as that was a huge purchase. Do you know of alternatives for healthy cooking pans that don’t leach chemicals? Thank you for all you do!
Hi! Thanks for sharing this. I just ordered my first Le Creuset skillet and then came across your post. The one I ordered Is the signature skillet which has black enamel on the interior and a white enamel on the exterior. Is it safe to say bc of the light/neutral color this may not contain some of those toxic materials?
Hi Mariana,
I don’t like the company. I never recommend their products. There is too much inconsistency over the years and a history of a use of heavy metals as colorants. I cannot extrapolate if a color or color combination will be lead free or not, because some are and some are not (lead free or cadmium free) in the various color combinations. I would never use any of their products, especially in the absence of testing. In general I recommend avoiding all decorated or coated cast iron.
Tamara
Did you test for magnesium or manganese? You listed magnesium symbol as Mn in your results and the symbol for magnesium is Mg.
Hi! It’s Manganese – there are a bunch of posts with this error and I have been working to correct them all! Thank you for checking in on that!
Tamara
Hi Tamara,
Thanks for your diligent work!
You’ve probably been asked this before, but which testing instrument do you use for cookware? I live in the UK and am having trouble finding a good test instrument on Amazon! Any help would be appreciated.
All the best,
Nuri
I didn’t know stainless steel leached nickel. What kettles do you recommend? I do have cast iron skillets.
What would you recommend for a dutch oven or baking bread? Thank you!
Hi Tamara , how about staub in matt black do they also contains heavy metals ? What cast iron do you recommend for braising .
Thank you
Here’s my overview posts on pots and pans – I don’t generally recommend any cast iron that has enamel coating (of any color.)
https://tamararubin.com/2021/01/i-want-to-buy-some-nontoxic-cookware-which-pots-pans-are-the-safest-for-cooking-which-pots-pans-are-the-least-toxic/
Tamara
What testing kits are you using to test the pots?
Hi Carrie – I don’t use a testing kit. I use a $35,000 scientific instrument. You can learn more about the testing instrumentation I use here: https://tamararubin.com/2016/12/ask-tamara-what-do-you-use-to-test-for-lead/
Tamara
I have a bright green colored cuisinart pot with enamel on the inside it’s about 20 years old does it have the same metal toxicity as the le freshet is. I’m assuming it it. Please confirm. I’m happy to part with it as I’ve recently found I have high level of uranium, lead and barium toxicity from being a makeup artist for 25 years and I’m really clearing my home and makeup kit from all of these products. Thank you
Hi Tamara,
Thanks for all your work! Eye opener!
I have peach garland pattern corelle that I was given as a wedding gift. I do not find it in your posts. It was made before 2005 though. Have you tested it?
Thanks for any help.
Hi,
I received a LC casserole pot for my wedding – one of the limited Harry Potter collection – the colour is bright red. I have read that lead and cadmium are often present on the outside of these products. I wonder if that poses a risk if it is on the outside, and if so, how? I am very conscious of a healthy kitchen and I want to make sure my family are safe. At the same time, I am feeling guilty about the possibility of getting rid of a wedding gift from a family member. Hoping you can help :-).