NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — New Yorkers should avoid cooking with or serving food in “traditional, non-food safe” ceramic ware, as more than a dozen recent cases of lead poisoning have been linked to their usage, the city’s health department warned.
Fifteen recent lead poisoning cases “have been linked with traditional ceramic ware used for preparing or serving food and drink” the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said in a press release.
To avoid lead-related health problems and illness, anyone who owns “non-food safe” clay pots, cups and dishes should stop using them to serve, store or prepare food and drinks, the department said.
“Some traditional ceramic ware has been found to contain high levels of lead and has been linked with lead poisoning in both children and adults,” Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi said in a statement. “Do not use decorative ceramics or those not intended for food use when preparing or serving meals.”
“If you’re not sure it’s food safe, just err on the side of caution and don’t use it,” he added. “New Yorkers who use these products should stop using them and speak with their doctor to ask for a blood lead test as soon as possible.”
Some handmade ceramics from countries including Mexico, Ecuador, Turkey, Morocco and Uzbekistan “have been found to contain high levels of lead,” the release noted.
The following types of ceramic ware are among the products that could contain lead, the department said:
• Ceramic ware that is labeled for use only as a decorative item or contains a warning label, such as “Not for Food Use – May Poison Food”
• Handmade ceramic ware with a crude appearance or irregular shape
• Antique ceramic ware
• Damaged or worn ceramic ware
• Ceramic ware that is purchased from flea markets, street vendors, or shops where you are unable to determine who the manufacturer is or information about how the product is made
More information about the health warning is available on the department’s website.
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