.jpg)
CONCORD, Calif. (KCBS) -- The Contra Costa County Health Services Department is issuing warnings to consumers who may have bought ceramic cooking pots, thinking they were lead free.
FoodMaxx stores have pulled decorative, ceramic pots from it's shelves after the Contra Costa Lead Poisoning Prevention Project subjected the pots to testing.
KCBS’ Dave Padilla Reports
Prevention specialist Ana Villalobos said the pots in question contained high levels of lead even though they are stamped “lead-free.”
"If the lead is in the pot, there is no way to remove it. When I do home visitations or when I talk to people, they say, Oh, but I boil it with vinegar or I crush it with garlic and onions and I put a lot of soap in it," Villalobos said. "There is no way we can remove that."
Villalobos said the longer the food is cooked, the higher the concentration of lead.
Lead poisoning can affect growth and development in young children even in small amounts.
She said consumers who bought the ceramic pots can return them to FoodMaxx for a refund with proof of purchase.
(kmi)
Print Story
DW.pageParams = {
siteId: '255'
};
DW.clear();
DW.trackClicks();
