Is Le Creuset safe? Let’s perform a safety review of enamel cast iron

Summary

Is Le Creuset Safe? People should rightly be concerned with toxins released during the cooking process on their cookware. This issue was considered regarding Le Creuset enamel cast iron and found that as it currently stands, there is no cause for any concern.

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In-depth – Is Le Creuset safe? Is Le Creuset non toxic?

As owners of cast iron cookware, one thing I have always liked about it is the safety aspect. As many of you will remember, there have been may scares over the years regarding the material you use…aluminum cookware ring any bells?

Understandably, we have to balance the considerations to use the best and safest cookware out there. Of course, that is not to say that many years from now, new research may indicate that we have been wrong all along…that risk will always be there.

In this article, I am going to look at cast iron using Le Creuset enameled coast iron as the example. I will consider the safety of it and reflect on the issues.

I am not a scientist and I can only really go on what I read so please keep that in consideration. As with most things in life, if you are really concerned by something, you need to research further. I can only go by what is out there for public consumption at this moment in time.

What is the problem with toxins in cookware?

The problem is that these toxins are being introduced into your food. It may well be that they are absolutely minute quantities but nevertheless, it does build up over time.

Of course, these may well be toxic so you don’t know what damage they are doing to you over time and what the consequence will be.

It is also fair to say that not all substances into your food is bad. Some will be good for you, others neutral and some bad.

With the right information at hand, we can make informed choices and what risks we are prepared to take.

Does cast iron cookware leach anything into your food?

If we are talking about seasoned cast iron, yes it does. It will leach iron into your food in very small quantities. Historically, this will not have been a bad thing. Many years ago, there was a deficiency in iron in people’s diet. Cooking in cast iron meant that that you could get your iron fix and prevent illnesses like anemia.

In modern times, this is less of an issue. Our diets are iron rich so taking on excess iron is not a desirable quality. In fact, too much iron in your diet can also be problematic.

This is why it is something you need to consider if you are regularly using a cast Dutch oven or skillet.

Is enamel cast iron safe? Is Le Creuset enamel toxic?

Obviously, enamel cast iron is different to seasoned cast iron. The difference being that the iron is coated in an enamel which replicates the qualities of seasoned cast iron.

The question is whether enamel releases any toxins that may be harmful to you. According to Le Creuset, the enamel is inert as it is fired at 790 Celsius. Therefore, Le Creuset say it is safe to use.

While talking about toxins in enamel cast iron, we also have to consider lead and cadmium. According to Le Creuset, their products are tested and found to be in compliance with California Proposition 65 standards.

What is the California Proposition 65 test? It basically means that producers would have to place a warning label on their products if they exceeded the prescribed lead and cadmium levels.

The California Proposition 65 test lays out the test that producers like Le Creuset have to test against. For lead, it has to be less than 0.1 micro grams per milliliter leached into a 4% acetic acid solution. In the case of cadmium, 0.049 micro grams per milliliter of cadmium leached into a 4% acetic acid solution.

So, to summarize, there is no issues with Le Creuset enameled cast iron according to Le Creuset themselves and they meet the standards required by law.

To further support this argument of Le Creuset safety reviews, another website called Natural Baby Mama conducted a test on this matter. On Le Creuset enameled cast iron, they found that it tested cleanly for lead and cadmium…. both on the interior and the exterior.

Le Creuset PTFE and PFOA free

They state that their nonstick ranges are PTFE and PFOA free. However, there is not a whole lot of further information about it apart from Le Creuset stating that it is their propriety technology. Personally, I have a distrust of nonstick coatings so tend to stay away from them. That is just my opinion of course but that is a decision for you.

Verdict

As far as the research to date and indeed the information provided by Le Creuset, there are no issues with their enamel cast iron ranges. They are shown to be within the limits set by the California Proposition 65 test for lead and cadmium levels.

You should therefore proceed with confidence if you are considering buying Le Creuset products. However, if the enamel cast iron you are considering is not Le Creuset, you will have to consider further research.

According to the California Proposition 65 test, if it fails to meet the standards, they would have to display a warning sign. I have yet to ever see a warning sign on any enamel cast iron. The presumption is that they are fine and no cause for concern. Unfortunately, I am a little more suspect about these kinds of things because the assumption is that they have been tested against California Proposition 65 test.

If you are not buying Le Creuset and you have some concerns about the safety of your enamel cast iron, I would recommend that you call the customer service of the brand you are looking at and see what they have to say. If they take it seriously, they will have the information at hand. I would hope they have the information as I consider this an important subject.

Let me know what you think about this subject, what do you think about the question…is Le Creuset safe? Share your thoughts in the comments below, I would love to hear from you.

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FAQ

What is the California Proposition 65 test?

Proposition 65 relates to the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, 1986. It is a California law that was set out to promote clean drinking water and inform the public about the presence of toxic substances that cause cancer and/or birth defects in consumer products and their environment.

The regulation is enforced through the Office of the Attorney General.

Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), which is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA). This regulation is overseen by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), which is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA).

Is Le Creuset PTFE and PFOA free?

Le Creuset state that their nonstick ranges are PTFE and PFOA free. They also state that the nonstick technology is their own proprietary technology.

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Citations

California Proposition 65 test