Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Town Food Service Equipment 4 sizes recall: Aluminum saucepans recalled because they have the potential

Recall published 11 months ago

Aluminum saucepans recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with lead (Pb) which may leach into food.

Town Food Service Equipment Sauces & dips — recalled sauces & dipsTown Food Service Equipment Sauces & dips — recalled sauces & dips (photo 2)Town Food Service Equipment Sauces & dips — recalled sauces & dips (photo 3)Town Food Service Equipment Sauces & dips — recalled sauces & dips (photo 4)
4 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Food safety concern

This product was withdrawn on a food safety ground. The lot codes listed are what define the recall — identical packs from other runs are unaffected.

What the notice says: Even low levels of lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and fetuses.

Why it matters: The agency identified a problem with this product that made it unsafe or unfit to sell. The official summary above describes what it was.

Recall details

Published
December 12, 2025
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Town Food Service Equipment
Product type
Sauces & dips
Distribution
Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date.

Products covered by this recall

4 sizes of aluminum saucepans with capacities ranging from 1 quart to 3 quarts

What the company announced

Town Food Service Equipment Co., Inc. of Brooklyn, NY is recalling aluminum saucepans, because it has the potential to be contaminated with lead (Pb) which may leach into food. 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. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and fetuses. Consuming food with elevated lead levels can contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood. Children and babies are more susceptible to lead toxicity due to their smaller body size, metabolism, and rapid growth. At low levels, children may not have obvious symptoms but can still experience trouble learning, low IQ, and behavior changes. At higher levels of lead exposure, people may experience fatigue, headache, stomach pain, vomiting, or neurologic changes.

The saucepans being recalled were distributed in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, Puerto Rico and Quebec City, Canada through its network of authorized food service equipment dealers, which include retailers, between January 1, 2023 and November 30, 2025.

The 4 sizes of aluminum saucepans being recalled have capacities ranging from 1 quart to 3 quarts, have indented graduations on the interior, and a plated steel handle riveted to the body. The pans, boxes, or bags the pans are packed in may be marked with one of the following item or SKU numbers.

  • Item no.: 35400 · Description: Town brand 1 Quart Aluminum Saucepan · SKU: 843784003559
  • Item no.: 35401 · Description: Town brand 1-1/2 Quart Aluminum Saucepan · SKU: 843784003566
  • Item no.: 35402 · Description: Town brand 2 Quart Aluminum Saucepan · SKU: 843784003573
  • Item no.: 35403 · Description: Town brand 3 Quart Aluminum Saucepan · SKU: 843784003580

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was the result of a sampling program by the FDA which revealed that the finished products contained leachable lead. Town Food has ceased production and distribution of the product as the FDA and Town Food continue their investigation.

Consumers who have purchased and are in possession of any of the items are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Town Food at 718-388-5650 Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM EST, or email our recall coordinators at [email protected] . Updates on the recall will be posted on our recall webpage: https://townfood.com/recall-alum/

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 12 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Model or item number

On the rating label, the box or the instruction sheet.

  • 35400
  • 843784003559
  • 35401
  • 843784003566
  • 35402
  • 843784003573
  • 35403
  • 843784003580

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 1 quart
  • 3 quarts
  • 2 Quart
  • 3 Quart

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Food safety

Town Food Service Equipment — This product was withdrawn on a food safety ground. The lot codes listed are what define the recall — identical packs from other runs are unaffected.

  1. Stop eating it and check the codes on your pack against the identifiers listed on this page.
  2. Check the freezer and pantry for other packs from the same codes.
  3. If anyone is unwell after eating it, call a clinician and mention the recall by name.
  4. Bag it and bin it, or return it to the store for a refund.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased and are in possession of any of the items are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: Town Food Service Equipment Co., Inc. — Consumers: (718) 388-5650, [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Town Food Service Equipment sauces & dips recalled?

Aluminum saucepans recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with lead (Pb) which may leach into food. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and fetuses.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: model number 35400, 843784003559, 35401. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Stop eating it and check the codes on your pack against the identifiers listed on this page.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have purchased and are in possession of any of the items are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland and others.

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