Monday – April 4, 2022
- Cadmium is a known carcinogen and does not belong in our cookware.
- Lead causes neurological damage and interrupts most biological systems and does not belong in our cookware.
It is not illegal for Le Creuset to have consistently (recently and historically) used Lead and Cadmium in their cast iron and ceramic cookware products. While some of their newer lighter colored products test positive for these toxicants at much lower levels, they have made no public statement and issued no recall addressing their use of these toxic heavy metals in their cookware – so most consumers have NO IDEA they are cooking in Lead-containing or Cadmium-containing cookware.
Lead Safe Mama’s position on this:
- IF you knew these pots and pans were made with toxic chemicals you probably would not have purchased them (or registered for them for your wedding).
- You would have instead chosen a different (safer / toxicant-free) product to use to cook for your family.
- Do you agree with that?
You can read more about the test results for each of the pots pictured on the LeadSafeMama.com website (links corresponding to the numbers on the image are below):
2. https://tamararubin.com/2017/01/le-creuset-red-creme-colored-ceramic-mixing-bowl-40700-ppm-lead/
3. https://tamararubin.com/2017/01/small-blue-ceramic-le-creuset-custard-pot-36900-ppm-lead/
Why is it a problem if pots test positive for Cadmium (a known Carcinogen)?
Details here: https://tamararubin.com/2017/01/cadmium-concerns/
Why is it a problem if pots and dishes and cookware test positive for Lead?
Details here: https://tamararubin.com/topics/does-vintage-and-new-functional-pottery-and-dishware-have-unsafe-levels-of-lead/
My overview post that discusses how to make safer choices for cookware (regardless of the brand): 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/
What about enamel over steel like the Chantal tea kettles? What are your thoughts on those tea kettles?
AJ, the cast iron is not necessarily the problem. It’s often the heavy metals in the enamel coating.
I have Lodge cast iron enameled dutch oven! I wonder how that compares!
What about the enamel coating on kitchen aid mixer blades?
Are all Le Creuset pots the same cadmium levels & not safe?
Thx.
Hello, I’m curious how someone could test their own LC collection? I bought some (Color ocean) about 2 years ago thinking I was making the non toxic choice. I’d like to know if I need to toss them all out now. ? Thank you
California has strict testing laws and rules and regulations about such thing and the past several years they’ve tested with zero of theses contaminants. All of those pictured are old Le Creuset.
That’s actually not true – I consistently find the newer ones positive for Lead, Cadmium and Antimony (normally at trace levels – but still present) in the food contact interiors of the new products – and still often at high levels in exteriors.
Here’s a new product:
https://tamararubin.com/2023/01/xrf-test-results-for-brand-new-le-creuset-red-cerise-glazed-stoneware-espresso-mug-positive-for-lead-for-cadmium-a-known-carcinogen/
Tamara
Hello, I have the 16 qt “Flame” stockpot. What is known about this one? Thanks!
Hello. I have a covered stockpot. I would like to know if you’re testing the exterior enamel or the interior cream colored enamel or both? Is there a difference in the levels between them? Thank you for all your information!
Yeah, curious about that as well. Since she was mentioning the color, I think she’s only testing the outside, which is a moot point.
Hi Michelle – please read this article as well:
https://tamararubin.com/2020/07/if-the-lead-is-only-on-the-outside-of-my-dish-measuring-cup-mixing-bowl-etc-why-does-it-matter-that-it-has-lead/
And you might find this helpful:
https://tamararubin.com/2019/03/the-sugar-packet-analogy-how-much-lead-dust-does-it-take-to-poison-a-child/
Tamara
I have the full set of Le Creuset pots and pans (both stainless and non stick) which were bought in Europe/U.K. (given to us as a wedding gift 11 years ago)? Do these also have lead and cadmium? I thought Europe was much more stringent than the US on banning of toxic substances in products? Thank you for your work on this
The stainless ones should be fine. It’s the enamels, etc. This brand is all made in Europe.
To Tamara,
I have own three Le Creuset pieces, two dutch ovens (white and gray purple color) and one braiser (light blue). After reading your post on the lead and cadmium found in the pots, I am considering of replacing them with safer choices. I am looking into a Vermicular Musui-Kamado Cast Iron Induction Cooker, 4-Qt. On its website, it states that it is lead and cadmium free. I am planning to use it as my rice cooker and make soup in it as rice and soup are the two things I consume everyday. I also want to make tomato sauce based pasta in it. I read in one of your post on stainless steel pot that I shouldn’t cook acidic liquid (tomato sauce) in stainless steel for a long time. I am trying to see if this vermicular pot is a safer choice that can cover my needs, which are to cook good rice hassel free, soup, and have tomato sauce to sit in it for a long time. However, you did mention that it is best to not use cookware that has enamel coating. Is the Vermicular Musui Kamado cooker a safe choice? I have become more conscious of the cookware, bakeware, and tableware that I use daily after reading your post. I am starting to make my household lead free. It will be hard to find replacement for some items as there are not much safer choices to choose from. I wished I have came across your post earlier before I made my new purchase of dinnerware from crate and barrel. I want to thank you for posting these useful information on consumer products that we have in our household.
Have you tested any Le Creuset pans with the dark interior? I have some and could give you a small one to test and keep if it is positive for your records. I am in Portland and could drop off to you.