Moen Raises the Alarm on the Health Risks of Cheap, Off-brand Faucets

Rhea-AI Summary

Moen, a Fortune Brands Innovations (NYSE: FBIN) brand, has revealed alarming findings about cheap, off-brand foreign-made faucets. Independent testing by IAPMO found that 90% of tested faucets failed American safe drinking water standards, with some containing lead and chemical levels up to 591% higher than safety limits. An estimated 35 million of these potentially dangerous faucets were imported into the US between 2020-2024. On May 14, 2025, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued nine product warnings against these faucets. Moen, recognized as America's Most Trusted® Faucet Brand for 10 consecutive years, emphasizes its commitment to safety through rigorous testing and lifetime limited warranty.

Positive

• Independent third-party laboratory validation adds credibility to Moen's findings
• Moen's proactive approach in identifying and exposing safety concerns demonstrates industry leadership
• Company offers lifetime limited warranty and rigorous safety testing on their products
• Recognition as America's Most Trusted® Faucet Brand for 10 consecutive years

Negative

• Study reveals 90% of tested off-brand faucets failed American safety standards
• 35 million potentially dangerous faucets imported to US (2020-2024)
• Chemical levels in tested faucets up to 591% higher than safety standards
• CPSC issued nine product warnings due to lead presence

Insights

Consumer Safety Regulatory Expert

Moen's study exposing lead-contaminated competitors strengthens FBIN's premium market position while highlighting serious industry safety issues.

The findings from Moen's commissioned study represent a significant competitive advantage for Fortune Brands Innovations (FBIN). By revealing that 90% of tested cheap imported faucets failed U.S. drinking water standards, with some containing lead and chemical levels 356-591% above safety limits, Moen positions itself as the safety-conscious alternative in the plumbing fixture market.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission's nine product warnings against these foreign-made faucets add regulatory credibility to Moen's claims and could accelerate market share shifts toward established brands. With an estimated 35 million potentially unsafe faucets imported between 2020-2024, this creates both a public health concern and a market opportunity for premium manufacturers.

This strategic move allows FBIN to justify its premium pricing by emphasizing safety credentials rather than competing solely on cost with foreign imports. Moen's 10-year recognition as America's Most Trusted Faucet Brand further reinforces this positioning. The company effectively leverages public health concerns to differentiate its products while also potentially influencing regulatory scrutiny of competitors.

From a regulatory perspective, this could trigger increased inspection requirements and import restrictions on low-cost faucets, creating barriers to entry that favor established domestic manufacturers. The timing aligns with growing consumer concerns about product origin and safety, particularly regarding household items that contact drinking water.

Market Strategy Analyst

This announcement represents a masterful competitive strategy by Fortune Brands Innovations. Rather than competing on price with cheap imports, Moen has effectively reframed the market conversation around safety and quality - areas where it holds distinct advantages. The independent third-party verification through IAPMO adds credibility to what might otherwise seem like self-serving claims.

The market implications are substantial. With up to 35 million potentially unsafe faucets installed in American homes, Moen has created both urgency and anxiety that could drive replacement purchases. By highlighting the 356-591% safety standard violations, they've established a compelling reason for consumers to choose established brands over price-focused alternatives.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission warnings provide powerful third-party validation of Moen's claims. This regulatory involvement transforms what could be perceived as a competitive attack into a legitimate public health concern, shielding FBIN from potential criticism about motives.

Strategically releasing this data through a microsite (moen.com/safe-faucets) creates an educational platform that positions Moen as a consumer advocate rather than just a product seller. Their emphasis on "lifetime limited warranty" and decade-long trust recognition reinforces the long-term value proposition versus the short-term savings of cheaper alternatives.

This announcement effectively leverages growing consumer concerns about product origins and safety standards while creating significant differentiation in what had become an increasingly commoditized market. The timing aligns with heightened awareness of environmental toxins and water quality issues nationwide.

NINETY PERCENT OF CHEAP, OFF-BRAND FAUCETS TESTED CONTAIN LEAD AND OTHER TOXIC CHEMICALS

DEERFIELD, Ill., May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Moen, one of Fortune Brands Innovations' (NYSE: FBIN) leading brands and a leader in water experiences, is calling attention to concerning new findings that show cheap, off-brand, foreign-made faucets present serious health risks for consumers.

Moen commissioned independent, third-party laboratory tests of top selling cheap, off-brand, foreign-made faucets.* The tests were conducted by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials ("IAPMO") and found that 90% of faucets tested failed to meet American safe drinking water standards. Unfortunately, market data indicates up to 35 million cheap, off-brand, foreign-made faucets were imported into the United States between 2020 and 2024, potentially leaving millions of Americans exposed to high levels of lead and chemicals.

"In recent years, off-brand, foreign-made faucets have entered the American market with prices so low that we were skeptical that the products were safe for use, and we were right," said Aaron Bores, executive vice president, product development at Fortune Brands Innovations. "The third-party testing results were more egregious than we had expected. Nearly all the tested products failed one or more American safe drinking water testing standards, and several had levels of lead and chemicals that far exceeded our American safety standards. These cheap off-brand products aren't just pushing the limits of our safety standards – they are obliterating them, and the consumer is paying the price."

The majority of faucets tested in the recent study were found to leach lead at high levels, far exceeding today's American safe drinking water standards. In addition to lead, water running through a vast majority of the tested faucets was found to contain elevated levels of chemicals. Some of the results for dangerous substances showed levels 356% to 591% higher than the safety standards.

On May 14, 2025, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued nine product warnings against these off-brand, foreign-made faucets, urging consumers to immediately stop using these products due to the presence of lead. The notices can be found here and here.*

Lead exposure is well known for its negative health effects throughout life, particularly for younger children, and consumption over time of the types of chemicals found during testing could result in serious health concerns, including an increased risk of certain types of cancer.***

"People are buying off-brand, foreign-made faucets because they are cheap, but the team behind Moen wants them to know that cutting costs on a faucet isn't worth the health risks to them and their families. Everyone should be free from worrying about lead or chemical contamination from an off-brand faucet in their water. With Moen^® products, people can have peace of mind," Bores said.

In contrast to certain cheap, off-brand, foreign-made faucets, Moen products undergo rigorous safety testing. The brand's deep knowledge of water dynamics and challenges enables Moen to deliver water safely through high-quality, long-lasting products. Moen stands behind its faucets with a lifetime limited warranty**** and best-in-class customer service. These factors have contributed to Moen's recognition as America's Most Trusted^® Faucet Brand for 10 consecutive years.***** 

Moen is part of Fortune Brands Innovations' portfolio of industry-leading home, security and digital products. The Fortune Brands portfolio is increasingly focused on solutions that have a lasting and positive impact on both people and the planet.

"As part of Fortune Brands Innovations, our purpose is to elevate every life by transforming spaces into havens, and the way in which Moen provides faucets that are safe and reliable shows how we are living up to that purpose every day," Bores said.

For additional details on the findings, visit moen.com/safe-faucets, and view the full study and data here.

About the Research
The independent study was conducted by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials ("IAPMO"), a third-party laboratory. The IAPMO tested 19 top selling cheap, off-brand, foreign-made faucets through NSF Metals and Organics testing and 6 top selling foreign-made, off-brand pressure balancing valves for shower temperature performance testing.

*View the full study and data here. 

**https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cpsc-warns-consumers-to-stop-using-certain-chinese-made-faucets-sold-on-amazoncom-infants-young-children-and-pregnant-women-at-risk-of-dangerous-lead-exposure-302455917.html

*** Based on data found at https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ as of February 7, 2025.

****For complete warranty information, visit moen.com. Important exclusions apply. Warranty only applies to the original purchaser.

*****https://www.lifestoryresearch.com/2025-best-faucet-ranking-review

ABOUT MOEN

Moen is the #1 consumer faucet brand in North America, offering a vast array of stylish and innovative kitchen and bath faucets, showerheads, accessories, bath safety products, kitchen sinks, garbage disposals, leak detection products and connected home offerings for residential applications that give consumers more power than ever before to understand and control the water that flows through their homes. These thoughtful designs deliver an exceptional user experience and elevate how people interact with water daily. In addition, Moen^® Commercial offers superior-performing products that can deliver lower lifetime costs for today's facilities. 

ABOUT FORTUNE BRANDS INNOVATIONS

Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. is an industry-leading home, security and digital products company whose purpose is to elevate every life by transforming spaces into havens. The Company is a brand, innovation and channel leader focused on exciting, supercharged categories in the home products, security and commercial building markets. The Company's portfolio of brands includes Moen, House of Rohl, Aqualisa, SpringWell, Therma-Tru, Larson, Fiberon, Master Lock, SentrySafe and Yale residential.

Fortune Brands is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois and trades on the NYSE as FBIN. To learn more, visit www.FBIN.com.

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SOURCE Moen

FAQ

What percentage of cheap off-brand faucets failed safety tests according to Moen's 2025 study?

90% of tested cheap, off-brand, foreign-made faucets failed to meet American safe drinking water standards according to IAPMO testing.

How many potentially dangerous off-brand faucets were imported to the US between 2020-2024?

Approximately 35 million cheap, off-brand, foreign-made faucets were imported into the United States between 2020 and 2024.

What health risks are associated with the off-brand faucets identified in FBIN's 2025 study?

The faucets were found to contain high levels of lead and chemicals, with some substances 356% to 591% above safety standards. Lead exposure can particularly affect young children, and the chemicals found could increase cancer risk.

What action did the Consumer Product Safety Commission take regarding off-brand faucets in May 2025?

On May 14, 2025, the CPSC issued nine product warnings against these off-brand, foreign-made faucets, urging consumers to immediately stop using them due to lead presence.

Who conducted the independent testing of off-brand faucets for Moen (FBIN) in 2025?

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), a third-party laboratory, conducted the independent testing of 19 top-selling cheap, off-brand faucets.