Why is lead no longer used in the manufacture of food containers?

Lead has historically been used in a variety of manufacturing applications, including containers intended for storing or carrying food.

However, lead is a toxic heavy metal that can have serious negative health effects, especially in young children and vulnerable populations. Lead can accumulate in the body over time, and even low levels of lead exposure can cause neurological damage, kidney issues, and developmental problems.

Due to the significant health risks posed by lead, its use in food containers has been largely phased out in many countries around the world.

In particular, food safety regulations and standards in these countries now prohibit or strictly limit the presence of lead in materials that come into contact with food items. This encompasses food container components such as coatings, glazes, solders, or plastics that could potentially result in lead leakage or migration into food products.

The global transition away from lead in food containers has occurred over several decades and involved efforts from governments, international health organizations, consumer advocacy groups, and the food industry to implement policies, improve manufacturing practices, and foster safer alternatives for food packaging.

In place of lead-containing materials, alternatives such as materials like stainless steel, glass, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), non-leaching plastics, and other non-toxic materials have been introduced.