A popular kitchen blender that many parents use to puree baby food and blend smoothies for their children may be exposing families to dangerous levels of lead. Consumer Reports has found high levels of lead in a food-contact metal part inside the Black+Decker PowerCrush blender, model BL1230, and attorneys are now investigating potential legal claims on behalf of families who bought and used this product.
If you own a Black and Decker PowerCrush BL1230 blender, you have a right to know whether the food you have been making could be contaminated, and you may have legal options. Below is what we know, what you should do right now, and how to share your story so that experienced product safety attorneys can review your situation at no cost.
Get a Free Case ReviewDid you own a Black and Decker PowerCrush BL1230 blender? You may be entitled to compensation, and you can help hold the manufacturer accountable. Submit your information below for a free, no obligation case review. Please do not throw away your blender. It may be important evidence.
Lead Detected in the Black and Decker PowerCrush BL1230
Consumer Reports purchased three Black+Decker PowerCrush blenders, model BL1230, and tested multiple metal components for lead. In two of the three blenders, testing found high levels of lead in a small metal ring inside the blade assembly, the part of the blender that comes into direct contact with food. No lead was detected in the third blender.
The lead levels were staggering. One metal ring contained 4,175 parts per million (ppm) of lead, and the other contained 6,027 ppm of lead, according to Consumer Reports. Translated into the parts per billion (ppb) measurement used for food, those findings work out to more than 4 million and 6 million ppb.
“No food contact material should ever contain lead,” said Ashita Kapoor, Consumer Reports’ director of product safety and personal care. “Given the fact that many parents use blenders to puree food for babies or make smoothies for children, these findings are extremely concerning.”
Consumer Reports said it contacted Black+Decker and Spectrum Brands, which manufactures the blender, to share the test results and request comment, but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Affected product at a glance
- Product: Black+Decker PowerCrush Multi-Function Blender
- Model number: BL1230
- Part of concern: a small metal ring in the blade assembly that touches food
- Lead levels detected by Consumer Reports: 4,175 ppm and 6,027 ppm
- Manufacturer: Spectrum Brands (the CPSC incident report identified the manufacturer as Empower Brands LLC)
- Manufacturer contact: Spectrum Brands, 800-321-9786
- Recall status: No recall has been announced. The matter has been referred to the FDA, and Consumer Reports is urging owners to stop using the blender.
How a Baby Lead Poisoning Report Exposed the Hazard
The problem first came to light through a heartbreaking incident involving a young child. In January 2026, the Consumer Product Safety Commission received a report through its public SaferProducts.gov database describing a 1 year old who had developed elevated blood lead levels.
According to the report, the child’s parent had contacted a local health department lead risk assessor to find the source of the heavy metal in the family’s home. The assessor reportedly found only one lead hazard in the entire home, a metal component in the base of the blender the parent used every day to make the baby’s food. The blender was the Black+Decker PowerCrush BL1230.
The report indicated that the metal part may have been shedding lead dust into the food. Foods that had been prepared in the family’s blender and then tested reportedly contained more than 3,000 ppb of lead, with individual samples measured at 570, 1,760, and 3,060 ppb. For reference, the FDA has recommended lead action levels as low as 10 ppb for many baby foods. The report did not state that lead from the blender had been proved to be the source of the child’s elevated blood lead levels, but it identified the blender as the only lead hazard found in the home.
The story took a troubling turn after Consumer Reports started asking questions. A few hours after Consumer Reports contacted the CPSC to ask whether it was investigating, the incident report that had been publicly available online was removed. The CPSC told Consumer Reports that the issue falls under the jurisdiction of the FDA, not the CPSC, because the product could potentially contaminate food, and that it had referred the matter to the FDA. An FDA spokesperson confirmed that lead is not authorized for use on food-contact surfaces.
Which Black and Decker Blenders Are Affected
The product at the center of this investigation is the Black+Decker PowerCrush Multi-Function Blender, model number BL1230. The model number is typically printed on a label on the base of the unit and on the original packaging.
The lead was detected in a small metal ring within the blade assembly. This is the threaded metal piece that sits between the blade unit and the blending jar, in the area where food and liquid pass through during blending. Because this part has direct, repeated contact with food, any lead that sheds from it can end up in whatever you are blending.
It is not yet clear how many Black+Decker blenders, or other Black+Decker products, contain this same metal part, so the full scope of the problem is unknown. That uncertainty is exactly why it is so important for owners of this blender to come forward. The more families who report their experience, the clearer the picture becomes for regulators and for the attorneys investigating these claims.
Why Lead in a Blender Is So Dangerous
Lead is a potent neurotoxin, and there is no known safe level of lead exposure. The danger is greatest for the people most likely to have eaten food made in this blender, namely babies, toddlers, and young children.
“The high levels of lead detected in these Black+Decker blenders are dangerous and unacceptable,” said Gabe Knight, Consumer Reports’ senior safety policy analyst. “There is no safe level of exposure for anyone to lead, and children are particularly vulnerable to its harmful effects, which include permanent brain and nervous system damage.”
In young children, lead exposure has been linked to lasting harm, including developmental delays, learning and behavioral problems, lower IQ, and damage to the brain and nervous system. Many cases of lead exposure cause no obvious symptoms at first, which means a child can be harmed without any outward warning sign. A simple blood test ordered by a pediatrician is the only reliable way to check a child’s lead level.
Families trust that the products in their kitchens are safe, especially products marketed for everyday use with food. When a manufacturer puts a product on the market that contaminates food with a known neurotoxin, families deserve answers and accountability.
Get a Free Case ReviewWhat To Do If You Own This Blender
If you own a Black and Decker PowerCrush BL1230 blender, consumer safety experts recommend taking these steps right away.
- Stop using the blender immediately. Do not use it to prepare baby food, smoothies, or any other food or drink.
- Do not throw it away. Your blender may be critical evidence in a legal claim. Keep it, along with the original box, manual, and any blade or ring components.
- Save your purchase records. Keep your receipt, order confirmation, or credit card statement showing when and where you bought the blender.
- Talk to your doctor. If you or your children have eaten food prepared in this blender, especially over a long period, ask your pediatrician or physician about a blood lead test.
- Contact the manufacturer. You can reach Spectrum Brands directly at 800-321-9786 to ask whether your blender may be affected.
- Share your story and explore your legal options. Submit your information through LegalScoops so that attorneys investigating these claims can review your situation for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Black and Decker blender recall?
No recall has been announced as of this writing. Consumer Reports found high levels of lead in a food-contact part of the Black+Decker PowerCrush BL1230 and is urging owners to stop using the blender. The matter has been referred to the FDA, which confirmed that lead is not authorized for use on food-contact surfaces.
Which Black and Decker blender has lead in it?
Consumer Reports detected lead in the Black+Decker PowerCrush Multi-Function Blender, model number BL1230. The lead was found in a small metal ring inside the blade assembly that comes into contact with food.
How do I know if my blender is affected?
Check the model number on the base of your blender or on the original box. If it reads BL1230, it is the model Consumer Reports tested and found to contain lead in two of three units.
Is lead in a blender really dangerous?
Yes. Lead is a neurotoxin, and there is no safe level of lead exposure. Children are especially vulnerable, and lead exposure has been linked to permanent brain and nervous system damage, developmental delays, and learning problems.
I used this blender to make my baby’s food. What should I do?
Stop using the blender, keep it as evidence, and talk to your pediatrician about a blood lead test for your child. Many cases of lead exposure show no symptoms, so testing is the only reliable way to know.
Can I file a lawsuit or join a lawsuit over the Black and Decker blender lead issue?
Attorneys are currently investigating potential claims against the manufacturer. If you owned or used the blender, you may have legal options. Submit your information to have your situation reviewed for free.
How much does it cost to have my case reviewed?
Nothing. A case review through LegalScoops is free and comes with no obligation.
Should I keep my blender or throw it away?
Keep it. Your blender, along with its box, components, and your purchase records, may be important evidence in a legal claim. Do not discard it.
Families deserve to know that the products in their kitchens are safe. If you own a Black and Decker PowerCrush BL1230 blender, do not wait. Stop using it, hold on to it, and submit your information today so that attorneys investigating this matter can help you understand your rights.
Your Legal Rights and Options
Consumers have powerful protections under product liability and consumer protection laws. A manufacturer that sells a product containing lead in a food-contact part may be held responsible for the harm and the costs it causes. Depending on the facts of your situation, families affected by a defective and dangerous product like this may be able to pursue compensation for things such as medical monitoring and testing, the cost of the product, and injuries caused by exposure. California residents have additional protections under the state’s strong consumer protection statutes.
No lawsuit or recall has been filed or announced as of this writing, and attorneys are actively investigating potential claims against the manufacturer. Legal claims are subject to strict deadlines known as statutes of limitations, and preserving your blender and your records is essential. Because evidence can be lost and deadlines can pass, it is important to act promptly rather than wait.
Every situation is different, and no outcome can be guaranteed. The only way to find out whether you have a claim is to have your case reviewed.
Share Your Story With LegalScoops
LegalScoops is tracking the Black and Decker PowerCrush blender lead issue and can connect affected consumers with experienced product safety and consumer protection attorneys who are investigating these claims. There is no cost and no obligation to have your situation reviewed.
