Dr. Mercola Cookware Set: Healthy Cooking, Happy Kitchen

Dr. Mercola's Healthy Chef Ceramic 16-piece cookware set is a ceramic-coated aluminium cookware set. The set includes a 6.5 open skillet with handle, a 10 skillet/braiser with short handles and cover, a 1.25 qt saucepan with lid, a 3.5 qt sauce pot with cover, a 7.5 silicone trivet, silicone pot holders, and a kitchen tool set. The set is marketed as lead-free and metals free, but independent tests have found high levels of lead in the white painted on ceramic label on the bottom of the pans. Ceramcor, the manufacturer of the cookware, has stated that their products do not contain lead and have passed regulatory leach tests. However, the distinction between lead-free and non-leaching needs to be understood, as the presence of lead does not necessarily mean that it will leach into food. Dr. Mercola's response to the concerns raised about lead in their cookware states that their ceramic ware is protected by an impervious glaze and that the lead found is naturally occurring in ceramic clay.

Dr Mercola's Metals Free Frying Pan was found to contain 14,900 ppm Lead

Dr Mercola's "Metals Free" frying pan was found to contain 14,900 ppm of lead in the white, permanently affixed enamel label on the bottom of the pan. The interior of the pan was found to contain 83 +/- 18 ppm of lead. The manufacturer, Ceramcor/Xtrema, has stated that their product passes leach testing and that their supplier has told them that their labels do not contain lead. However, subsequent testing of additional pans from this company has also found lead in the labels, leading to concerns about the safety of the product.

Ceramcor/Xtrema has responded to the issue by stating that they will investigate the situation and ensure that there is no lead in any decal that is fired onto the bottom of their Mercola or Xtrema cookware. They have also mentioned that all of their testing is in accordance with California Prop 65 for extractable lead and that they will be conducting additional extraction tests on the labels to ensure consumer safety.

Despite the manufacturer's assurances, some consumers have expressed concerns about the high lead content in the surface of the pan, especially since the glaze seems to fade and the pan is not scratch-free. This could potentially expose users to lead dust or transfer lead to other surfaces. It is important to note that while the cookware is non-leaching, according to test results, the presence of lead and the possibility of it being transferred to food or other surfaces is a valid concern.

To address these concerns, consumers have requested additional testing, such as XRF meter testing, to verify the safety of the product. It is recommended that anyone using this cookware set should carefully review the testing results and take necessary precautions to minimize the risk of lead exposure, especially for those with heavy metal toxicity concerns.

Dr Mercola's ceramic cookware is manufactured by Ceramcor

Ceramcor provides testing results for toxicity, while Mercola doesn't provide any details. The Cermacor website provides substantially more information about the manufacturing of Xtrema Cookware, including how Xtrema cookware is made, pictures, and manufacturing origin.

Dr. Mercola Healthy Chef Ceramic 16 piece set includes:

• 6.5″ open skillet with handle (1 pc)
• 10″ skillet/Braiser with short handles and cover (2 pcs)
• 1.25 qt saucepan w/ lid (2 pcs)
• 3.5 qt. sauce pot with cover (2 pcs)
• 7.5 silicone trivet (1 pc)
• Silicone pot holders (2 pcs)
• Kitchen tool set (6 pcs)

Ceramcor Xtrema Ceramic Cookware:

Xtrema Cookware 12-Piece Versa Set

Cookware Set Includes:

• 1.5-Quart Stock Pot with Lid
• 2.5-Quart Stock Pot with Lid
• 3.5-Quart Stock Pot with Lid
• 10-Inch Versa Pan with Lid
• 4-Piece Red Pot Holder Set for Versa Stock Pots

Dr. Mercola's ceramic cookware set is cheaper than the Cermacor Xtrema Ceramic Cookware by nearly $100, but you are also getting less. Every cookware set needs to include a large pot for making soup, stews or cooking cuts of meat, and sadly Mercola falls short here. That means you will have to use a non-ceramic pot for anything larger than making eggs, or a small dish in the skillet.

Ceramcor also makes the ceramic cookware for Dr. Mercola

Ceramcor is the manufacturer of the ceramic cookware that Dr. Mercola sells. Ceramcor also sells the same products under its own brand name, Xtrema. The products are virtually the same, except for the branding and logo. Ceramcor has been making the cookware for Dr. Mercola since 2008.

Ceramcor's owner, Richard Bergstrom, has been very vocal in the comments section of a blog post by Tamara Rubin, a federal-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety. In her post, Rubin points out that she found high levels of lead in the white "painted on" ceramic label on the bottom of the Dr. Mercola frying pan. She also found trace amounts of lead on the interior of the pan.

In response, Bergstrom claims that his company's products do not contain any lead or heavy metals and that they have passed all the required tests. He also mentions that they are the only cookware company that publishes its test results on its website.

However, Rubin clarifies that Ceramcor's tests are leach tests, which are different from XRF tests that detect the presence of lead. She also points out that Ceramcor's claims of their products being "lead-free" are false, as shown by her testing.

Despite Rubin's repeated attempts to explain the distinction between "lead-free" and "non-leaching," Bergstrom and Dr. Mercola seem to misunderstand or refuse to acknowledge the difference. As a result, they continue to advertise their products as "lead-free," which is misleading to consumers.

Dr Mercola's Healthy Chef Ceramic 16-piece set includes 6 items

• A 6.5-inch open skillet with handle
• A 10-inch skillet/braiser with short handles and cover
• A 1.25-quart saucepan with lid
• A 3.5-quart sauce pot with cover
• A 7.5-inch silicone trivet
• Silicone pot holders
• A kitchen tool set with 6 pieces

This set is a good option for those who are price-conscious and want to save around $100, as it is cheaper than the Cermacor Xtrema Ceramic Cookware set. However, it is important to note that the Mercola set does not include a large pot for making soup, stews, or cooking larger pieces of meat, so you may need to use a non-ceramic pot for those purposes.

Both the Mercola and Cermacor sets are very similar in terms of cosmetics and construction and come with a 50-year warranty. They also provide information on high heat tolerance, with both sets being able to handle temperatures up to 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, both sets include information on how to clean your ceramic cookware properly.

The main differences between the two sets lie in the amount of information provided by the manufacturers. The Cermacor website offers more details on the manufacturing process, testing results for toxicity, and the origin of their products. The Mercola set, on the other hand, does not provide any of this information. The Cermacor set also comes in three different colours, while the Mercola set is only offered in black. In terms of pieces, the Cermacor set includes 5 of the most popular cookware pieces, while the Mercola set has 4.

Overall, if you are looking for a complete matching ceramic cookware set, the Xtrema Ceramic Cookware set by Cermacor is the better option. However, if you are more price-conscious and want to save some money, the Mercola Healthy Chef Ceramic Cookware set is a good alternative.

Ceramcor Xtrema Ceramic Cookware comes in three colours

Ceramcor Xtrema Ceramic Cookware is a 100% ceramic cookware set, handmade from real clay, formed with moulds and cooked in a kiln. The set comes in three colours to match your kitchen or personality. It is also offered in black. The cookware set includes a 10-inch brazer pot and a 16-inch versatile pot. Ceramcor provides testing results for toxicity and offers free shipping on all orders over $100.

The Ceramcor Xtrema Ceramic Cookware set is an excellent choice for those seeking a complete matching ceramic cookware set. The set's high heat tolerance, up to 2,700 degrees F, and 50-year warranty further add to its appeal.

However, it is important to note that ceramic cookware can break if dropped or banged with force. Proper care and handling are essential to ensure the longevity of this type of cookware.

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