Le Creuset Overview

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?

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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):

1. https://tamararubin.com/2019/02/made-in-france-c-2013-yellow-oval-le-creuset-enameled-cast-iron-casserole-29-17700-ppm-cadmium-a-known-carcinogen/ 

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/ 

4. https://tamararubin.com/2019/02/made-in-france-c-2013-yellow-le-creuset-enameled-sauce-pan-15800-ppm-cadmium-a-known-carcinogen/ 

5. https://tamararubin.com/2017/01/the-red-exterior-enamel-on-this-le-creuset-tea-kettle-tested-positive-for-9163-ppm-cadmium-cadmium-is-a-known-carcinogen/ 

6. https://tamararubin.com/2021/10/vintage-green-and-white-enamel-le-creuset-cooking-pot-positive-for-varying-levels-of-lead-and-cadmium/ 

7. https://tamararubin.com/2017/01/le-creuset-tea-kettle-11900-ppm-cadmium-cadmium-causes-cancer-does-not-belong-in-our-tea-kettles-103-ppm-lead/ 

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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/