Town Food Service Equipment Co. Recalls Aluminum Saucepans Over Potential Lead Contamination

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (December 12, 2025) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Town Food Service Equipment Co., Inc. is recalling multiple aluminum saucepans after testing showed they may be contaminated with lead that could leach into food. According to the FDA, exposure to lead poses serious health risks, particularly for children and pregnant individuals.

Regulators said the recall affects four sizes of aluminum saucepans distributed nationwide through authorized food service equipment dealers and retailers. The agency confirmed that it has received no reports of illness to date, but emphasized that no safe level of lead exposure exists.

Town Food Service Equipment Co. Recall: Quick Summary

Town Food Service Equipment Co. has issued a voluntary recall of aluminum saucepans after FDA sampling detected leachable lead. The company sold the recalled products between January 2023 and November 2025 across dozens of U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and Quebec City, Canada. Although regulators have not received reports of injuries or illnesses, they warn that lead exposure can cause serious long-term health effects, especially in children. Regulators urge consumers to stop using the saucepans immediately and return them for a full refund.

What happened?

The FDA said Town Food Service Equipment Co. initiated the recall after a routine agency sampling program revealed that finished saucepans contained leachable lead. The recall was announced on December 12, 2025, in coordination with the FDA after regulators reviewed the test results.

In its recall alert, the FDA warned that “lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status, and there is no known safe level of exposure to lead.” The agency added that even low levels of exposure can cause learning difficulties, behavioral changes, and developmental issues in children.

The recalled saucepans range from 1 quart to 3 quarts and feature indented interior graduations and a plated steel handle riveted to the body. Town Food distributed the products through its network of authorized food service equipment dealers, including retailers, across more than 30 states, Puerto Rico, and Quebec City, Canada.

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best by date	Issue	Affected states or zones
Town	Aluminum saucepan	1–3 quarts	See SKUs above	N/A	Potential lead leaching	Nationwide U.S., PR, Quebec

What caused the issue?

According to the FDA notice, laboratory testing found that the aluminum cookware could leach lead into food during normal use. Lead exposure can cause fatigue, headaches, abdominal pain, vomiting, and neurological changes. Children, infants, and fetuses are most at risk due to their developing bodies. The agency confirmed that no illnesses have been reported so far.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Stop using the saucepans immediately
• Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund
• Check the SKU number on the pan, box, or packaging
• Contact Town Food Service Equipment Co. at 718-388-5650 or [email protected] with questions

Behind the brand

Town Food Service Equipment Co., Inc., based in Brooklyn, New York, supplies cookware and food service equipment to commercial kitchens and retailers. The company’s recall notice states that it has “ceased production and distribution of the affected product” and is working closely with the FDA during the ongoing investigation.

Other relevant recalls

This recall follows several recent food and food-contact material recalls tied to lead contamination, highlighting ongoing challenges in material sourcing and quality control. Similar issues have prompted Source86 coverage of Venzu Traders cinnamon powder, Lucky Foods cinnamon powder, and Shata Traders Inc.’s Chef Brand milk pan, all recalled after testing found elevated or leachable lead. Food safety experts continue to warn that lead in food and food-contact products remains a serious industry-wide concern.

“There is no known safe level of lead exposure, and even low levels can pose health risks, especially for children and vulnerable populations,” said Tom Neltner, Chemicals Policy Director at the Environmental Defense Fund, speaking on the dangers of lead exposure in food and consumer products.

Related Lead Toxicity Alert: Imported Shrimp Paste (January 2026) In a separate incident highlighting the dangers of heavy metal contamination, Gusto Group Inc. has recalled specific lots of Klong Kone Shrimp Paste due to elevated lead levels. While the Town Food alert concerns lead leaching from aluminum cookware, this new recall was triggered after four children became ill from consuming the contaminated condiment directly. Both cases emphasize the critical need for vigilance regarding lead sources in the kitchen. For detailed information on the affected retailers in Iowa and New Jersey, read our full report: Gusto Group Recalls Shrimp Paste Due to Lead Contamination.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, added:

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital transparency and supplier accountability really are.”

Ensuring safe eats

This recall underscores the importance of rigorous testing and oversight for food-contact products. Consumers should follow recall instructions carefully, while companies must strengthen supplier verification and quality assurance processes.

At Source86, we help brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private label production, preparing supply chains to respond quickly and responsibly when safety issues arise. Let’s talk.