List of stores I won’t shop at because they recently sold things with Lead or still sell things with Lead…

ByTamara Posted: Updated:
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For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website:

Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her four sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005).

Stores I will not shop at…

While it seems I have said this a million times in conversations over the past decade (+) since I started doing independent consumer goods testing, I felt it was time to finally put this in writing!

Below is a quick list of stores I will no longer regularly shop at because they have sold things with Lead in the fairly recent past (or because they currently [in 2020] still sell things with Lead). Stores are not on this list merely because they sold “one thing that tested positive for high levels of Lead” but rather because they have consistently sold things containing Lead. In most cases, this activity has persisted in spite of the store being made aware of the concerns. Additionally, in several cases the items they have sold (or are selling) have not been properly labeled or marked as containing Lead. 

As a mother of Lead-poisoned children, I cannot in good conscience shop at these stores*. 

*Note: One exception… I may pop into their stores every now and then to intentionally buy some products I suspect may likely contain high levels of Lead. I do this so I can publish the test results for those products here on the website and warn readers that these stores still carry or manufacture products with Lead (as I did with Cost Plus/World Market, Starbucks, and Sur La Table this past 2019 holiday season).

“But Tamara, the store assures us their products are safe…”

  1. U.S. regulatory agencies currently allow for Lead to be present in products (including dishes and kitchenware) — and for those products to still be considered “safe” by current U.S. regulatory standards.
  2. The above legal consideration does not mean these stores’ products are free of toxicants (neurotoxic and/or carcinogenic heavy metals, including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Antimony, and Arsenic)!
  3. While some of these stores have taken steps toward selling fewer toxic products (and even made efforts to specifically offer a selection of non-toxic products), many of these stores still actually have store-branded products sold in recent years (or continually for-sale) — products which incorporate high levels of Lead (and/or other toxicants) in the substrate (base metal) and/or in the paint, glaze, or coating of the items.
  4. At least one of these stores have committed CPSIA violations for selling children’s products with Lead, leading to product recalls (namely Pottery Barn), and then turned around and manufactured more children’s products that have tested positive for Lead! (Expect an article to come shortly about a second Pottery Barn kids water bottle I recently discovered as positive for Lead.)
  5. Many of these stores sell products that are “not intended for use by children” and contain high levels of Lead (which is perfectly legal) and even sometimes use greenwashing marketing language to make customers think the amount of Lead is negligible/ acceptable. This includes dishes. Dishes are not generally considered (by regulatory agencies) to be “items intended for use by children!” (!!!!)
  6. Several stores specifically sell products with Lead or Cadmium (products sold in the category of being “not intended for use by children”) in designs and functional uses that ensure children will most definitely be drawn to using these items (here’s a 2019 Sur La Table example of this, a 2019 Cost Plus example, and a 2019 Starbucks example). To clarify: The distinction “not intended for use by children” is a marketing distinction in language only used to make it possible for these stores to sell Leaded items legally, regardless of who the actual intended user (or realistically intended user) is.
  7. None of these stores on my list have taken a public stand against using Lead in all their products (that I am aware of as of writing), although some appear to have silently made changes in their manufacturing processes as a response to my findings and/or public pressure/ demand.
  8. To my knowledge, none of the stores on my list have acknowledged that regardless of whether or not their Leaded products are legal (and thus considered “safe” by virtue of current U.S. federal standards) the fact that they are creating and/or selling products incorporating Lead contributes to the demand for mining, refining, and manufacturing of Leaded substrate materials and pigments, which pollutes our planet (air, water, soil) for all future generations.
  9. To my knowledge, none of the stores on this list have made customers aware (via public written statements) that products they have sold in the past are high in Lead (or other toxicants). If I am somehow wrong about this, please share a link with me to a company’s public statement on this issue. In response to this concern of Lead in past products, across the board the common legalese refrain you will consistently hear or read is: “We have always complied with all regulatory requirements.” To justify past usage of high levels of toxicants in products, manufacturers repeat this reassuring sounding refrain — even when knowingly referring to products made during an era when there were no regulatory standards!
  10. All of the above is especially egregious considering that, in most cases, people shop at these particular stores because they have confidence that the products sold through these stores are higher-quality (which ostensibly justifies their “upmarket” status — and expense), and therefore they assume that these products are “safer” choices for their families (now and long-term).

Disclaimers:

I am not saying that *all* products from these stores have Lead, but that some definitely do (or have in the recent past) — and consequently, I do not want to give these companies my business personally. You may still choose to shop at these stores, but I recommend that you do so with caution, knowing that “following all regulatory standards” on products “made for use by adults” (including dishes, decor and furniture) does not mean that those products are necessarily toxicant-free.

In 2020 and beyond, we definitely have alternatives to using Lead in consumer goods, and specifically we have suitable, non-toxic, proven-safe alternatives.

I may update this article periodically.

If any store on this list contemplates threatening me in any way with legal action for publishing this, I have irrefutable, science-based data in support of my claims here, and I have no absolutely concerns about the validity of each my statements. As such, I will publish any communications from stores (in response to this article) here on LeadSafeMama.com, as I have in the past.

For naysayers or disbelievers (or folks just finding this site and unfamiliar with my work), I will leave you with this: Beyond my status as a “trusted authority” among both mainstream environmental journalists and environmental bloggers alike, alongside the fact I have been the recipient of numerous awards (including two from the U.S. Federal Government) for my research and advocacy work — if any of the statements here on the site were not 100% true, companies would certainly have attempted to sue me by now into taking down such “unflattering” information. As this information is readily available on this website (and has been for years), you can logically remain reasonably confident my statements are likely true.

And so, without further ado, below is the list of stores I will not personally shop at* because they consistently sell (or have sold) products containing Lead. When available, each store name listed below (in bold pink text) links out to articles on this website that name products from that store or brand I have tested, including products both with and without Lead.

The list of stores I will no longer shop at (for purchasing gifts or consumer goods):

Why is having Lead in consumer goods a problem?

To read more about some specific concerns for Lead in consumer goods, please check out the following pieces:

Takeaway… where should we shop instead (if we want to avoid Lead)?

  1. Shop less (seriously — any effort at healing our environment really does start there).
  2. Shop local (at smaller, locally-owned businesses, rather than large corporate-controlled chains).
  3. Make things ourselves, whenever possible — or fix or improve what we have (see #1 above).
  4. Buy local craftsman-made products (of whom we can ask what items are made of).
  5. Avoid (mass-produced) ceramics.
  6. Avoid (mass-produced) painted metal items.
  7. Avoid (mass-produced) painted wood products.
  8. Avoid painted glass products.
  9. Avoid painted products in general.
  10. Avoid products that integrate decorative metal or tile/ceramic elements.
  11. Avoid brass.
  12. Select products made with simple natural materials (e.g. cotton, silk, wool, linen, hemp, clear glass, uncoated stone, unpainted wrought iron, unpainted wood, etc.) rather than synthetic or composite materials manufactured with a very long global supply chain and/or dependent on environmentally-disastrous large-scale industrial manufacturing.

If (due to budget, geography or other reasons) you simply cannot shop local (or buy things from local craftsmen), while big box stores are often perceived as “evil” (from political and environmental perspectives), there are some with better products and policies (from a toxicants-profile perspective). If you avoid their painted/ decorated ceramics (and potentially Leaded brass-containing items like hardware and garden equipment), stores like Sears, Kmart, Walmart, Walgreens, Target, and Ikea often have less-toxic/ safer choices for your family and your home — at very reasonable prices.

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

Thank you for reading and sharing this work.

Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama

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36 Comments

      1. Thank you for all of your research. I am so happy that I have found your website. What brands do you recommend?

        I just purchased caraway pans in the hopes to little by little remove toxins out of my home. I also plan to purchase teak wooden spoons to cook with. I also want to purchase LeCreuset Dutch pans and All Clad pans, is silicone cutlery safe at all? Do you recommend these, why or why not? What do you recommend instead?

        Reply

        1. Hey there, if you search “Caraway” on Tamara’s website (or any of the brands you listed), you’ll find what she’s written about them. You can also go to your internet search bar and type “Lead Safe Mama” + the brand you want to look into.

          Reply

  2. And it’s no surprise that these are all large corporate chain stores. These and big box stores I will not shop at for this reason and others (hint..China). Thank you once again for your efforts to bring awareness to the masses, regardless of the naysayers.

    Reply

  4. Grocery outlet sells Anthony’s organic tumeric, to make more yellow the tumeric roots are soaked in a lead solution. On there other other spices they have a pro 65 warnings posted! How they can call something organic with added poison is beyond me. I wish FDA would do there jobs to protect the American people. I no longer shop there and I now call spice and supplemental companies and ask two important questions. Where do you source from and how is graded.

    Reply

  5. I’m confused now. I just read about the dishes you do recommend and Crate and Barrel and Sur La Table both made that list. :-/ I was shopping the dishes at Crate and Barrel because I assume the Villeroy & Boch casual China I have isn’t lead free. 🙁

    Reply

    1. Hi Jennifer,

      Just because I have tested something and posted the test results on this blog does not mean I recommend that product or brand. Just because I have written about something does not mean I recommend it. I test things my readers send me. Per this post there are items from each of these stores that I have tested that are also Lead-free, but I would never shop at those stores and on principal do not recommend their products because they still make Leaded products they sell in their stores (or they have made Leaded products recently.)

      You may still choose to buy something from one of these stores because I tested one or more examples that were Lead-free, but given their past manufacturing process I have no confidence that their products might not reincorporate Lead in the future.

      Tamara

      Reply

  6. Every Habitat for Humanity ReStore is different. While they all fall under the umbrella of Habitat for Humanity, each local affiliate determines what items they take as donations and what items they purchase for resale. Just because the ones local to you may have items containing lead does not mean every one does because they all take different items. By globally saying not to shop at ReStores you are making erroneous assumptions about their operations and inventories.

    Reply

    1. Hi Megan,

      I have not been to a Habitat ReStore local to me. I have been to Habitat Restores all across the country. I have not yet seen one example of a Habitat ReStore that has properly labeled all Lead painted or otherwise Leaded building materials for resale. I have worked with families whose children were exposed from building components with Lead that were purchased at these stores. They need a country-wide policy change implemented (if they have not yet) to not sell any previously painted building components in the absence of testing every single component. To get off of my list they also need to stop selling Leaded brass hardware and leaded fixtures (like cast Iron leaded tubs.) As of this moment (as of writing this post) the Habitat ReStore franchise fully fits within the scope of this post – stores that have been made aware of the concern for Lead but still sell high-Lead products.

      Tamara

      Reply

    1. I just purchased a Christmas mixing bowl set from TJ Maxx manufactured by The BAKESHOP. When I got it home and went to place the set in the dishwasher I noticed a warning that they are to be handwashed only. Then I saw a lead warning. Why a mixing bow would contain lead I don’t understand. It’s going back to the store today. Too bad as I really like it.

      Reply

  8. If I wanted to buy some handmade ceramic plates off Etsy, what questions should I ask to make sure the product is as toxin free as possible? Should I ask about the specific glaze brand they use and how they fire it? Or do you not recommend buying off Etsy at all?

    Reply

  10. I have older mugs.some from.Taiwan.
    A solid black smaller coffee mug.
    I am unable to find any information on the safe/ harmful side effects on using these items.
    Thank you for your reply

    Reply

  12. Hello Tamara,
    Do the following contain lead?
    1. Smart Design Drawer Organizer – (9 x 3 Inch) – Steel Metal Mesh – w/ Interlocking Arm Connection
    2. Smart Design Drawer Organizer – (8-Compartment Expandable) – Steel Metal Mesh Tray
    3. Sorbus Flatware Drawer Organizer, Expandable Cutlery Drawer Trays for Silverware, Serving Utensils, Storage for Kitchen, Office, Bathroom Supplies, (Cutlery Drawer Organizer – Silver)
    4. Tera 18/8 Stainless Steel Mortar and Pestle with Brush

    Reply

  14. Hello Tamara
    Thank you for all your research. It is really very helpful.

    I recently bought a step stool, bed, desk and a chair from Pottery barn for my kid. All, except the step stool, are Greenguard gold certified.

    The chair is – Carolina play chair white color
    The desk is – Carolina craft play table grey color
    The bed is – Catalina bed – white color
    The step stool is – classic step stool in dark blue

    Can you please advise if these have lead in them?

    Thanks in advance.
    Mamta

    Reply

  16. Hi,
    I’m considering buying some bar stools from Arhaus. It seems that everything that Arhaus sells has a Prop65 warning on it. Do you have any information about the products they sell?

    Carol

    Reply

  17. Hi,

    I was looking at Pottery Barn’s Cambria dinnerware set, but decided to ask if they were lead free since they are made in Portugal. I received an answer that read, ” Pottery Barn Associate Answered: Thank you for reaching out to us. Yes, they are lead free. We appreciate your business. Have a great day!” After reading this article, I’m wondering if that answer can be trusted. Is there a better way to ask the question? Perhaps about testing they’ve done or something from the manufacturer instead of just a yes or no question? I need to buy new dinnerware and would like to buy carefully this time. Thanks for all you do!

    Reply

  18. May I please ask what products from anthropologie were the culprits? I have lots of stuff from that store, and now I am a little worried as I have small children. Is it mainly housewares, accessories, or clothes? Thanks!! -Katie

    Reply

    1. Hi Katie – I didn’t even know they made clothes until today! I haven’t yet tested any of their clothes.

      It’s their housewares (glass, metal, hardware, decor, painted wood) specifically (although I am suspect of anything from the brand!) Not all of their things have Lead – but enough have Lead that as a blanket statement I don’t trust the brand.

      I was “turned on” to the lack of ethics of this brand when I tested some dresser hardware (knobs) that a client had purchased for a dresser for her small child. The knobs were very high in Lead and obviously designed to be attractive to the “under-ten-year-old” set.

      T

      Reply

        1. Same here, I have this entire set! If you could possibly advise, I (and likely many, many others, I know this is a popular line of dishware from the line) would be so grateful. Thank you!

          Reply

          1. Did anyone get a response on this set? I also have the entire set along with the green and clear drinking glasses (similar to the Bombay set). I bought an at home spray and UV light lead test and the clear drinking glass glowed bright green. Some broken bowls seemed to have some lead (green glow) as well, but the non-broken were difficult to tell. This is not a fool proof tests, so very curious.

  19. If a plain white dish passes California Prop 65, can I consider it safe?
    I need some strange shaped dishes and Crate and Barrel has some; and the dishes have passed Prop 65 requirements.

    On another note, this is what the Crate and Barrel representative said in an email to me:
    All Crate and Barrel dinnerware has passed FDA standards.
    It has all been tested by a third-party accredited lab for both lead and cadmium safety. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sets very stringent standards for what would pass for lead and cadmium levels, and all of our dinnerware passes that.
    California also has greater lead and cadmium restrictions than any other state.
    Every dinnerware or ceramic is also tested for the more stringent California Proposition 65 standards. Most of our dinnerware passes California Proposition 65 standards, but those that do not are labeled with stickers to inform our California customers of that fact.
    Can Crate and Barrel guarantee a lead-free dinnerware pattern?
    We cannot guarantee that a dinnerware pattern is 100% lead-free. The only reason we cannot make this guarantee is because the test method that is used by the third-party lab is not sensitive enough to detect lead or cadmium levels under .05 parts per million.

    Is under than .05 parts per million lead still significant lead or cadmium content for a dish?
    Thank you for all the work you do Tamara!

    Reply

  20. Hi there Tamara,
    Have you ever tested the brand “Good Cook” glazed stone bakeware? I’ve emailed the company twice with no response.
    I bought them at Costco.
    Thanks,
    Elaine

    Reply

  21. I received a set of Williams Sonoma /Spode salad plates for Christmas, English Floral pattern. They weren’t listed in the WS patterns you tested. They are marked Microwavable and Dishwasher safe. Have you tested these? Thank you for any help you might have for these.

    Reply

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