How We Test
Every product we recommend is checked against manufacturer data, U.S. food-safety regulations, and independent testing where it exists, then reviewed by a materials chemist before publication. Here is exactly how.
What we do not do: SafeKitchn does not run an in-house testing lab. We rely on manufacturer documentation, published regulatory data, and independent test results where they exist, and we say so clearly whenever a claim rests on data supplied by the brand rather than a third party.
Manufacturer Data Review
We start with specifications the manufacturer publishes: safety data sheets, material composition claims, glaze formulas, base materials, certifications. No guessing.
Regulatory Cross-Check
Every claim is checked against FDA food-contact rules and California Prop 65 lead and cadmium limits, plus any independent lab results or recall records we can find, not just statements from the brand itself.
Chemist Review
Before anything is published, our reviewer James Daniels, B.Sc, inorganic chemist and materials researcher, checks the research for accuracy. Products are flagged, re-ranked, or removed if new information comes in.
Curious what “lead-safe” actually means for your cookware? See our Material Safety & Lead Testing pillar for the full breakdown.