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).
- Tamara owns and runs Lead Safe Mama, LLC — a unique community collaborative woman-owned small business for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety.
- Since 2009, Tamara has been conducting XRF testing (a scientific testing method) using the exact instrumentation employed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to test consumer goods for toxicants (specifically heavy metals — including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Antimony, and Arsenic).
- Since July of 2022, the work of Lead Safe Mama, LLC has been responsible for 5 product recalls (FDA and CPSC).
- All test results reported on this website are science-based, accurate, and replicable.
- Items that Lead Safe Mama, LLC reports on are tested multiple times to confirm the results published (for each component tested).
- Recent notable press… There has been too much to mention already in 2024! Please check out our press page to see some of the amazing coverage of our work so far this year!
January 4, 2023 — Wednesday
For Lead-free water bottles, our top recommendations are HydroFlask (with insulated stainless steel), and LifeFactory for non-insulated or for beverages other than water. Please do not use stainless steel for anything other than water and please wash thoroughly before first use.
This is what I have purchased for my family:
- Hydroflask: https://amzn.to/3WSqrco
- LifeFactory: https://amzn.to/3WMMJfg
Hello Tamara,
I so appreciate all you are doing for the cause! I noticed that for the insulated stainless steel flask that you recommended, you said only put in water. I like to take hot green tea along with me for the day. Is there a danger with the green tea and leaching of something?
Thank you in advance for your reply!
More acidic beverages can leach more toxicants out of stainless steel.
What kind of toxicants can be leached from stainless steel?
Please read this overview article about Stainless Steel:
https://tamararubin.com/2022/08/why-do-some-stainless-steel-cookware-items-have-a-prop-65-warning-isnt-stainless-steel-non-toxic/
Tamara
Would cooking marinara sauce in a stainless steel pot cause issues then? Assuming the pot is 18/10 or 18/8 stainless steel manufactured from a trusted place.
It can if they are new – yes. Have you read the Stainless Steel overview article? Here’s the link:
https://tamararubin.com/2022/08/why-do-some-stainless-steel-cookware-items-have-a-prop-65-warning-isnt-stainless-steel-non-toxic/
Tamara
How do I get stainless steel paddles for my kitchen Aide mixer
Hi Tamara!
Have you ever come across Klean Kanteen? They seem pretty transparent as a company and the bottles themselves do not have the dot. Do all stainless steel bottles have to have a sealing dot? Or can they be made without this feature? Thanks!
Katie
I also wondered about Klean Kanteen! Hope she answers.
What about the hydro flask straws that they sell separately? I tried searching your website but nothing came up. My daughter has been begging for it so I bought it but haven’t used it yet. Thank you.
I understand that a major electronics manufacturer wanted to use recycled Polypropylene (PP) in an ink cartridge for an ink jet printer.
They found that the lead content of the recycled PP was enough that it had a detrimental effect on the ink.
The primary source of recycled PP is from the cases of lead acid batteries. Interestingly the source of the lead was from the colorant in the PP not the lead in the batteries.
Was it HP? Do we need to be wary of our ink jet cartridges now?
Have you tried Owala? Can you check if this is lead free.
Thank you for doing this research. I purchased Pura baby bottles. I noticed you said only use water. I’m curious as to why.
I would love to see a review on Clearly Filtered stainless steel and glass water bottles. Their concept of filtering the water is very appealing.
Have you ever tested the Hydroflask 12 oz kids wide mouth w/ straw lid before or is it safe to say that any bottles in their line are lead free due to consistent lead free tests in the past?
Hi, are the lighter weight trail hydroflasks safe? I believe they’ve swapped the hinges in the handle to aluminium.
I am also interested in knowing if the kids 12oz hydroflask wide mouth with straw has been tested. Thank you so much
Have you tested the ThermoFlask stainless steel water bottle that Costco sells?
Yes – they have leaded sealing dots.
Have you tested Pura baby bottles?
Is this also for post-2017? And does the same hold for Takaya (which seems to be the same brand)?
Thank you for all your amazing work. I have 2 hydroflasks that I run through the dishwasher regularly and the paint is chipping off both. Is the paint a danger? Could the paint flaking off in the dishwasher leave dangerous residue on other dishes? Thank you!
How old are they? The issue is not the paint, but the sealing dot on the bottom – which is Lead-free if newer than 2017.
Hi there. I searched Hydra Peak on your site, but nothing came up. Wondering if you’ve tested those stainless water bottles. They don’t have any bottom cap. Thanks!
Yes – they have a Leaded sealing dot on the bottom.
Hi! I checked my brand new Hydra Peak and didn’t find a sealing dot!! Would you like photos?
Wondering the same about the hydrapeaks
Is it ok to put milk in a hydro flask for kids school lunches?
do hydroflow or crofton water bottles have lead?
Do you have an updated article for baby straw cups/Sippy that are lead and plastic free?/ also what coffee insulated mugs recs since it looks like you shouldn’t use coffee in stainless steel?
Hi! If I want to travel with hot tea, what would you recommend to use if not a stainless steel tumbler? Thanks!
After reading your article I purchased some lifefactory glass bottles & stainless sippy cups. It appears the stainless steel has a seal on the bottom… I’m guessing that means they have lead. Have you tested these? Or can you confirm/deny? Thanks in advance
Which brand of sippy cup? I only recommend the glass products from Life Factory.
T
Hi! Bought one of the Life Factory bottles (thanks to you) and love it. Is all Life Factory product safe that you tested so far? Interested in buying the class cups they offer. Thanks!
Hello Tamara,
Thank you for sharing this knowledge to allow us to make healthier choices when purchasing water bottles.
Have you tested any grosche bottles (Canadian company) which indicates their products are lead-free? I wanted to confirm if I can believe that claim, the model I was looking at is the Chicago tea infuser.
Thank you
I’m not familiar with that brand. Sorry!
T
Hey Tamara!
Thank you so much for all the work you put in advocating for health and safety!
I am curious if you’ve tested Yeti, Contigo, ELLO or Klean Kanteen?
Thank you!
Hi. Thank you for all your remarkable efforts to test products and educate the public. The work you are doing is vital! I’m fairly new to your site, so may have missed posts about definitions. I believe many folks may be misled by companies which use marketing language to legally claim their stainless merchandise is “lead free.” If consumers are contacting companies directly, the pertinent questions are: “Do you use the lead-solder process to vacuumize your bottles? If not, what process do you use?” I’ve asked this of mine name-brand companies other than those whose bottles you’ve tested, and am both amused by and angry about how English is employed to duck the question. Paraphrased, the responses are: ” While we do use the lead-solder method, we maintain high standards… Your lips and your beverage will never touch lead… A very small amount of lead is used and then sealed away from the bottle itself… We have kids too and would never sell a product that may be harmful…” Again, many thanks for helping us keep ourselves and our families healthy!
Lin
Ello claims to manufacture lead free water bottles, have you been able to test these?
I don’t believe so
The Snowpeak Kanpai is the most amazing water bottle/thermos I’ve used. It even blows Yeti out of the water. I swear it makes my drinks even cooler as it sits, and soups get hotter while in the bottle. It’s a thin metal thermos, super high quality. It’s a Japanese company. Have you ever come across them? How would I know if my thermos is safe?
https://www.snowpeak.com/products/kanpai-bottle-500ml
Thank you for your article and research. Do you have any thoughts on the brand Iron Flask? I just bought it, no black dot on the bottom, but I heard it has lead.
Are the meoky 40 oz tumblers lead free? Please I really like the look of them and want to make sure it’s safe before I buy it.
Hi Tamara,
Many of us leave the house with a thermos filled with tea or coffee. Without having to carry glass around us there a thermos you recommend for hot coffee/tea? If a thermos has a sealing dot does it automatically mean it will leach into the hot beverage? My family does this everyday to go to work. I (as well as many others) would love to know your thoughts Thank you so much!!
One with a glass interior (like the old ones – but not the old ones because they had lead paint!) would be ideal! I don’t know of one yet – but I will post when I find one.
T
Do you think LMNT electrolyte water should NOT be used with stainless steel? hoping that is still ok, been using it with my electrolyte powder for years.
Do all the Stanley water bottles have lead in them? If someone was just using them to put cold water in them, what effects do lead have over time of using this water bottle?
Susan, unfortunately lead is a neurotoxin. I’ve heard from a reliable source that lead and other heavy metals are the cause for ADHD and mercury for Autism. It could be the cause for Alzheimers.
Wish I had known this 30 years ago when my kids were young.
Have you tested the simply modern 40oz tumbler? It’s more affordable and eas wondering if it’s a safer option. Thank you
Wondering the same!
TAMARA: I’ve seen that you say acidic liquids can bring out toxins from stainless steel.
Does heating up stainless steel pots and pans to cook in them , bring out toxins?
If they do, what do You cook in?
Thanks
Linda
Hi Tamara,
Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
Have you tested the LARQ brand water bottle?
Thank you!
Do you no longer recommend the klean kateen? I need good water bottle for water when I go to the gym or run errands.
Also which water bottle is good for kids? Thank you in advance for all your help and for replying.
Are you concerned about the plastic lids?
Have you tested the Hydro Flask Kids Food Jar Insulated Jr. Food Container for Soup, Noodles, Lunch for School, Camp and Sports Practice with Leakproof Lid for Food?