Glazed Crock Connection

• Lead is a common component in glazes that coat ceramic crocks used in slow-cooking and pickling. The FDA limits the amount of lead allowed in a food-grade glaze for products made in the United States. U.S. manufacturers must adhere to guidelines that ensure safe lead levels, but imported products often exceed these levels. Lead can leach into foods through ceramic crocks during pickling and slow-cooking and lead to health and developmental problems, especially for children and pregnant women.

Testing Your Crock

• The only accurate way to determine the amount of lead in a glazed crock is to test it. A lead-testing kit from a hardware store quickly and reliably gives you the information that you need, whether you're testing an old piece from a thrift store or a brand new crock. Select a spot on the bottom exterior of the crock and scratch or chip a piece of the glaze off using a metal tool, such as a screwdriver. Swab the exposed surface of the crock with a lead-testing swab. If the swab changes colors, it is considered unsafe, while no change indicates that it is safe. Consult the kit's instructions to correctly read the results. Discontinue use of any crock that is deemed to be unsafe.

Secondhand Crocks

• Purchase only food-grade crocks to use for food-related activities. This can be difficult when buying a pickling crock secondhand. While it may be acceptable to use an old crock for decorative purposes, that same crock may not work for pickling if it was not produced for that purpose. Look for pickling crocks that carry a brand name so that you can research the company. If you are still in doubt, follow up with a lead test to ensure safety.

Shop Smarter

• Keep you and your family safe by being a smart consumer. Do research into a company's practices and check to see that they follow consumer safety standards. California's Proposition 65 is the most stringent regulation in the country regarding lead in household products. Check the websites of major online retailers or directly with manufacturers to ensure that they are not required to carry the Proposition 65 warning label, which signifies that there are unsafe levels of lead in the product for cooking purposes.