Is Copper Cookware Safe?
Lined copper is the norm for a reason. The FDA Food Code says copper and copper alloys such as brass may not contact food with a pH below 6, such as vinegar, fruit juice or wine, and explains that high concentrations of copper are poisonous and that copper may leach into acidic food.
Health Canada says small amounts of copper are good for everyday health but large amounts can be poisonous, and that because copper is reactive, copper cookware sold in Canada is generally coated with another metal to stop copper transferring into food. Clemson University Cooperative Extension says copper cookware is usually lined with tin or stainless steel, and that the FDA cautions against unlined copper cookware for general cooking.
The lining can wear. Health Canada says acidic food can dissolve small amounts of the coating when cooked or stored for long periods, that scouring can strip the protective layer, and it advises against using scratched or uncoated copper cookware to cook or store food.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Regulatory filingThe FDA Food Code says copper and copper alloys such as brass may not be used in contact with food that has a pH below 6, such as vinegar, fruit juice or wine. US FDA Food Code ↗
- Government sourceThe FDA Food Code annex says high concentrations of copper are poisonous and have caused foodborne illness, and that copper may leach into acidic foods. US FDA Food Code ↗
- Government sourceHealth Canada says small amounts of copper are good for everyday health, but large amounts in a single dose or over a short period can be poisonous. Health Canada ↗
- Government sourceHealth Canada says copper cookware sold in Canada is generally coated with another metal to prevent copper transferring into food, and that acidic food can dissolve small amounts of the coating and scouring can remove it. Health Canada ↗
- Government sourceHealth Canada advises against using scratched or uncoated copper cookware to cook or store food. Health Canada ↗
- StudyClemson University Cooperative Extension says copper cookware is usually lined with tin or stainless steel, and that the FDA cautions against unlined copper cookware for general cooking. Clemson University Cooperative Extension ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.