{"hq_id":"hq-p-fod-000073","name":"Cast Iron Cookware","category":{"primary":"food_contact","secondary":"cookware","tags":["cast iron","iron leaching","skillet","seasoning","anemia"]},"product_tier":"FOD","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"Cast iron skillets, Dutch ovens, and griddles. Iron leaches from cooking surface into food, especially acidic foods (tomato sauce, citrus). This is a benefit-risk duality: iron leaching is therapeutic for iron-deficient populations but potentially harmful for those with hemochromatosis or iron overload. Seasoning (polymerized oil coating) reduces but does not eliminate leaching.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"severe","synthesis_confidence":0.673,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":0.977,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"individuals with hemochromatosis or iron overload","overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":["Iron overload risk for hemochromatosis patients (1 in 200 prevalence)","Higher leaching with acidic foods and poor seasoning"],"exposure_routes":"Oral ingestion via food cooked in cast iron"},"exposure":{"routes":["oral"],"contact_types":["oral_direct"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Cooking acidic foods (tomato sauce: up to 5 mg iron per serving)","Long simmering times increase iron transfer","New or poorly seasoned pans leach more iron"],"notes":"Iron leaching from cast iron is 1-5 mg per serving for acidic foods, <1 mg for non-acidic. Daily adult RDA is 8-18 mg. Beneficial for iron-deficient populations; contraindicated for hemochromatosis patients (1 in 200 Northern European descent)."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Beneficial for most people (supplemental dietary iron). Individuals with hemochromatosis should avoid cast iron for acidic foods. Maintain seasoning to reduce excessive leaching. New pans: season thoroughly before cooking acidic foods.","safer_alternatives":["Enameled cast iron (Le Creuset, Staub) — eliminates direct iron leaching","Stainless steel 304/316 for acidic food cooking","Carbon steel (lower iron leaching than cast iron)"],"alternatives":[{"name":"Enameled cast iron","notes":"Le Creuset, Staub) — eliminates direct iron leaching"},{"name":"Stainless steel 304/316 for acidic food cooking","notes":"Safer alternative to conventional products"},{"name":"Carbon steel","notes":"lower iron leaching than cast iron"}],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Scratched, stained, or discolored food-contact surface","meaning":"Surface damage increases chemical migration into food.","action":"Replace food-contact items showing visible wear."},{"indicator":"No FDA compliance or food-safe marking","meaning":"Materials may not meet food-contact safety standards.","action":"Choose products marked FDA-compliant or NSF certified."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"Third-party safety certification visible on packaging","meaning":"Product has been independently tested to applicable safety standards.","verification":"Look for certification logos (CPSIA, ASTM, EN, NSF, UL, OEKO-TEX)."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"What materials is this product made from?","why_it_matters":"Material composition determines chemical exposure potential.","good_answer":"Full material disclosure with known safe materials.","bad_answer":"No material information or unspecified."}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FDA 21 CFR Parts 170-199","citation":"21 CFR 170-199","requirements":"Food-contact materials must comply with FDA indirect food additive regulations.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"FDA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 + EU 10/2011","citation":"EC 1935/2004, EU 10/2011","requirements":"Materials must not transfer constituents to food exceeding specific migration limits.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[{"name":"FDA 21 CFR","issuer":"FDA","standard":"21 CFR Parts 170-199","scope":"Food contact substances"}],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Cast iron is infinitely recyclable as scrap metal.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"lifetime"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000018","name":"Iron (metallic/ionic)","role":"base_material","concentration_pct":"95-99"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000018","compound_name":null,"role":"base_material","typical_concentration":"95-99%"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["cast iron cookware"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Lodge","manufacturer":"Lodge Cast Iron","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"American cast iron cookware"},{"brand":"Le Creuset","manufacturer":"Le Creuset","market_position":"premium","notable":"Premium enameled cast iron"},{"brand":"Staub","manufacturer":"Zwilling","market_position":"premium","notable":"French cast iron cookware"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"FDA 21 CFR Parts 170-199 (21 CFR 170-199)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"21 CFR 170-199","id":"src_131cd3dc"},{"type":"regulation","title":"Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 + EU 10/2011 (EC 1935/2004, EU 10/2011)","jurisdiction":"EU","citation":"EC 1935/2004, EU 10/2011","id":"src_f722b4a3"},{"id":"aspca_iron","type":"report","title":"ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Iron Toxicosis in Companion Animals — Dietary Supplement and Oxygen Absorber Exposure","year":2021,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000018"},{"id":"talcott_iron_2004","type":"report","title":"Talcott PA: Iron. In: Small Animal Toxicology (Peterson ME, Talcott PA, eds.) — Four-Stage Iron Toxicosis Syndrome and Treatment","year":2004,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000018"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-13T22:22:30.149Z"}}