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Is your cookware making you sick? A guide to safe buying

By Howard Seidman, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth

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Our ancestors discovered fire thousands of years ago, but we are still learning how to cook. Putting food in a pot or pan and placing it on a flame can be toxic when not done right.

Not all cookware is created equal. Here's what you should know about cookware to ensure safety.

Aluminum

Aluminum seems like a chef's dream. It's lightweight, spreads heat well and does not cost much. Recent concerns over a link between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease have scared some people. But the Alzheimer's Association says that aluminum cookware is not a significant risk factor for the disease.

Uncoated aluminum is a greater safety concern. When left on high heat, it can melt and cause severe skin burns or fire.

Anodized aluminum may be better than uncoated cookware. It has a nonstick, scratch-resistant hard surface that is easier to clean. Its surface is also sealed, so aluminum won't leach into meals or transfer to food.

Teflon

Nonstick Teflon was once called a miracle coating. But it can be dangerous at high temperatures. DuPont, the maker of Teflon, suggests that the product be used at low or medium heat only and should never be left unattended. With high heat, Teflon cookware emits fumes that may irritate humans and kill pet birds. And within five minutes, empty cookware can heat up to 800 degrees.

There have been concerns about a potential link between Teflon and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a man-made chemical used to make Teflon. The Environmental Protection Agency says that PFOA is not actually in Teflon, though, and poses no dangers in the cookware.

Copper

Many chefs prefer copper pots because they allow precise heating. But large amounts of copper from unlined cookware can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Some copper and brass pans are coated with another metal to prevent food contact with copper. But those coatings can break down and allow copper to dissolve in food. Older copper cookware may have tin or nickel coatings and should not be used for cooking.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel cookware is strong, low in cost and long lasting. It resists high heat, scratching and corroding. Most pieces have copper or aluminum bottoms for even heating.

Health problems from stainless steel are rare. People sensitive to elements in it, such as nickel, could have skin reactions if they come in contact with the metal.

Ceramics

Ceramic (including pottery), enamel or glass cookware tolerates high temperatures. But, do not cook with a piece if it is an antique or is labeled "for design purposes only" or "not for food use." Ceramics may have a special glaze to resist wear and corrosion. These glazes may have unsafe pigments, lead or cadmium that can leach out after frequent washing. Acidic foods can also speed up lead release.

Be wary of ceramics from Mexico, some Latin American countries, China and India. Do not use ceramic cookware if you are not sure that it is free of lead. A piece is unsafe for cooking if gray powder appears on the glaze.

Cast iron

Cast iron is strong, low in cost and an even heat conductor. It also helps food pick up more of the nutrient iron. More iron is good for most people, but those with high-iron conditions should avoid this cookware.

Safety isn't potluck

Always read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before using any cookware. Avoid cooking with metal or hard plastic utensils. They can scratch surfaces, melt or shorten the cookware's lifespan. Use silicone, wood or bamboo instead. Never use cookware if the coating has started to peel or wear away.

Finally, be patient while cooking. You'll be less likely to burn dinner or cause dangerous overheating. Also, your meals will cook to perfection.

View the original Is your cookware making you sick? A guide to safe buying article on myOptumHealth.com 

SOURCES:

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Accessed: 01/07/2008
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Can your kitchen pass the food safety test? Accessed: 01/07/2008
• Alzheimer's Association. Aluminum and Alzheimer's disease. Accessed: 01/08/2008
• Health Canada. The safe use of cookware. Accessed: 01/10/2008
• Clemson University Extension. Cookware safety. Accessed: 01/08/2008
• Consumer Product Safety Commission. Aluminum cookware can melt and cause severe burns. Accessed: 01/09/2008