Stainless steel allergy: Is it safe to use a stainless steel pan?

Stainless steel is one of the most widely used materials in cooking today. It combines durability, food safety, and cooking performance.
But for some people sensitive to metals, a question remains:
👉 Is it safe to use a stainless steel pan if you have allergies?

This article reviews the issue — with scientific evidence — thanks to the results of an LFGB certified laboratory test carried out on the stainless steel pans used by SAINE.

Stainless steel allergy: a rare but real phenomenon

Stainless steel is an alloy composed of iron, chromium and nickel .
It is this last element — nickel — that can trigger an allergic reaction in some very sensitive people.
In most cases, these are localized skin reactions (redness, itching), but not a toxic risk related to cooking.

It is also important to know that not all stainless steels contain the same amount of nickel :

18/10 (or 304) stainless steel contains approximately 10% nickel, which gives it excellent corrosion resistance.
18/0 stainless steel, also known as “ferritic”, does not contain nickel and is an ideal option for people with allergies.

Stainless steel frying pan - 22 cm Healthy

👉 To learn more about the composition of stainless steel, see Stainless steel pan: danger or healthy alternative?

Certified scientific tests confirm the safety of our pans.

SAINE pans have been tested by the independent laboratory SHENZHEN ZTS TESTING SERVICE CO., LTD. , in accordance with European standards LFGB (Lebensmittel- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch) , the strictest German reference for food safety.

Report no. ZTS22092113TRS , dated September 26, 2022 , relates to a 22 cm pan .

Two types of analyses were carried out:

Sensory test (smell and taste)
Heavy metal migration test (ICP-MS analysis according to EN 13130-1:2004)

Sensory test results:

Setting	Result obtained	Maximum allowed limit	Interpretation
Smell	1.4 / 5	≤ 2.5	Compliant — no perceptible odor
Taste	1.6 / 5	≤ 2.5	Compliant — no alteration in taste

👉 These results prove that the pan does not release any metallic taste or smell into the food, even after heating.

Heavy metal migration test results:

Item tested	Result (mg/kg)	Permissible limit (mg/kg)	Status
Nickel (Ni)	ND (not detected)	0.02	✅ Compliant
Chrome (Cr)	ND	ND	✅ Compliant
Cadmium (Cd)	ND	ND	✅ Compliant
Lead (Pb)	ND	ND	✅ Compliant
Mercury (Hg)	ND	ND	✅ Compliant
Iron (Fe)	ND	48	✅ Compliant
Copper (Cu)	ND	5	✅ Compliant
Zinc (Zn)	ND	5	✅ Compliant

ND = Not detected means that the concentrations are below the laboratory's detection threshold — in other words, no heavy metal has migrated into the simulated food (tested at 100°C for 30 minutes in artificial food contact water).

👉 This official report therefore confirms that SAINE pans do not release any detectable metallic particles , including nickel, and are fully compliant with European LFGB requirements .

What do these results mean for people with allergies?

These tests scientifically demonstrate that:

The stainless steel used by SAINE is stable, non-reactive and safe for cooking .
No migration of metals (nickel, chromium, lead, cadmium, etc.) was detected, even at high temperature.
Prolonged food contact does not present a risk of metallic transfer .

In other words, even sensitive people can safely use a HEALTHY stainless steel pan for normal cooking purposes (without prolonged skin contact with the raw metal).

Complete stainless steel cookware set – 8 pieces + lids SAINE.

👉 To delve deeper into the topic of food security, also read:
The dangers of stainless steel pans: myth or reality?

SAINE stoves: safety first

At SAINE , we exclusively select food-grade 304 stainless steel tested and validated according to LFGB standards.
Our stoves are free of chemical coatings , PFAS , and PTFE , and come with a lifetime guarantee.

Why they are ideal even in cases of sensitivity:

No measurable nickel release
Zero heavy metal migration
No metallic odor or taste
Materials certified safe for food contact

Discover our complete collection of stainless steel pans 💡 In addition, also check out:
Why a stainless steel pan is an ecological and responsible choice

In summary: stainless steel and allergies, a proven compatibility

Nickel allergy is rare and primarily cutaneous.
Food-grade stainless steel pans (like those from SAINE) do not release any detectable metal .
The LFGB 2022 tests certify a total absence of heavy metal migration , guaranteeing 100% safe cooking.

👉 In conclusion: yes, you can use a stainless steel pan even if you have an allergy , provided that it is certified and made from high-quality stainless steel.