KitchenAid facing claims that stand mixer attachments contain lead

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Appliance manufacturer KitchenAid has found itself under fire over whether attachments for the company's popular stand mixers contain lead, and the company isn't expressly denying the claim.

Several concerned viewers emailed NewsCenter 5 after reading claims online that the aluminum mixing attachments, which come standard with KitchenAid mixers, may contain some level of lead.

Whirlpool, KitchenAid's parent company, did not respond to specific questions about the issue, and would only issue a broad statement in response to an inquiry.

The company's statement says, "All KitchenAid stand mixer accessories are safe to use," but it also acknowledges "that aluminum alloys can contain trace levels of impurities."

It adds that "there is no recall of these accessories for that reason."

The company's full statement is below.

NewsCenter 5 took the company's response to Marc Weisskopf, a professor of environmental health at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health. His expertise includes the impacts of exposure to toxins like lead.

"My reaction is I wanted more," he said of the company's statement. "The ultimate issue here is does lead get into somebody's system, right? Is it bad to have lead in a product like that? Sure, we'd rather not have it there, but frankly if it's there and never comes out, it's not an issue."

But Whirlpool's response doesn't address whether or not the lead can leech out of the attachments. The only way to determine that is likely rigorous testing of the attachments from various mixer models that have been washed, handled and used in different ways. For instance, some of the aluminum attachments come with a coating, but what's the impact if that exterior coating chips?

"I'd probably want to see [testing of] pieces that are new and pieces that have weathered over many years of that sort just to run the numbers. See if [lead is] there," Weisskopf said. "If it's not there, show that and tell people that."

The company does sell upgraded stainless steel attachments but for more dough -- as much as $100 for a full set. Despite saying in its statement that it "may offer a range of goodwill options for consumers," that doesn't appear to include getting the stainless steel attachments for free as the statement also says the company is aware of online efforts to "exploit misleading information concerning the safety of stand mixer accessories as a basis to demand replacement parts."

Here's Whirlpool's full statement, including a phone number concerned consumers can call:

All KitchenAid stand mixer accessories are safe to use.

Whirlpool Corporation is a 111-year-old company with a commitment to safety. KitchenAid, a division of Whirlpool Corporation, is a 103-year-old company with the exact same commitment.

It is a fact that aluminum alloys can contain trace levels of impurities, but there is no recall of these accessories for that reason. We are aware of social media efforts intended to exploit misleading information concerning the safety of stand mixer accessories as a basis to demand replacement parts. Whirlpool Corporation strongly disagrees with any efforts to spread misleading information concerning the safety of these accessories.

KitchenAid follows lead safety guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Canada's Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) and the European Commission. We remain committed to continue evolving the design of the stand mixer as this guidance continues to develop.

All current models of aluminum accessories have a coating that improves usage. This coated accessory is also tested for lead content to ensure it is safe. Whirlpool Corporation further recognizes some consumers may have a preference for non-aluminum accessories and offers certain stainless steel accessories that satisfy this preference.

If a consumer has a question, they can reach out to Whirlpool Corporation at 1-800-541-6390. Whirlpool Corporation may offer a range of goodwill options for consumers.