Is Ceramic Dishware Safe?
August 12, 2020, by Lisa Powers. Updated February 2, 2021.
Most ceramic dishware is safe to use as long as it doesn’t contain leachable lead or cadmium.
Lead in Ceramics
Lead has traditionally been used in ceramic glazes and decorations to give it a glasslike finish and allow colors and patterns to show through. Lead exposure is a serious health concern and every exposure is harmful, particularly to children.(source) The EPA does not consider dishware to be a primary source of exposure but because lead is ubiquitous in the environment, including soil, food and water, it should be avoided when possible. (source) Fortunately, many manufacturers now use lead-free glazes, although lead may still be present in low amounts due to contamination of raw materials from the environment. Ceramic that is properly fired and doesn't add lead as an ingredient shouldn't leach.(source)
Cadmium in Ceramics
Cadmium is often added to glazes to create bright red and orange colors. It is present in low levels in the environment and primary sources of human exposure are through certain foods and smoking. Higher levels of exposure in children have been linked to neurological problems.(source)
Regulations for Ceramicware
There are regulations to keep consumers safe from lead and cadmium exposure but they are limited. The FDA randomly tests ceramicware for leachable lead and cadmium and keeps a record of products that have failed. California Proposition 65, which requires warning labels on products that contain harmful chemicals at unsafe levels , has a much more stringent standard for lead and cadmium. If you’re buying new dishware, choose products that do not carry a Proposition 65 warning label. As an extra step before purchasing, check with the manufacturer to ensure the product doesn’t exceed Proposition 65 lead and cadmium limits.
As consumers have become more aware of the dangers of lead and cadmium in dishware, manufacturers have taken note and improved their oversight. The following retailers and manufacturers have policies to eliminate or limit products that don’t comply with Proposition 65. Be aware that this is only pertains to new dishware.
IKEA
All new IKEA dishware meets Proposition 65 requirements.
William Sonoma/Pottery Barn/West Elm
These retailers are owned by the same company and follow the same policy. “All of our dinnerware, glassware and other items used for serving food are tested to ensure that they meet FDA and California Proposition 65 requirements for lead and cadmium.” Most products in these categories meet the requirements but those that don’t carry a warning label and are noted on the website description under “Dimensions and More Info”.
Mikasa
All new dishware meets Proposition 65 requirements.
Villeroy & Boch
All new dishware, with the exception of the Twist Alea pattern meets Proposition 65 requirements. The items that don’t display a warning on the product and the website. It’s possible that future patterns will require a warning so make sure to check the website before purchasing.
Fiesta
New Fiesta dinnerware meets Proposition 65 requirements. “Fiesta Tableware Company sends its products to an independent laboratory to check for leachable lead release. All products indicate a lead release less than 0.002 parts per million. FDA highest allowable lead release is 0.5 parts per million. The Homer Laughlin leachable lead release is 250 times less than the highest allowed by the FDA. California Proposition 65 highest allowable lead release is 0.1 parts per million. The Homer Laughlin leachable lead release is 50 times less than allowed by the State of California.”
“Our glazes contain scant amounts of cadmium that are encapsulated to keep it from leaching, and are safe for food use. The USFDA permits 0.25 to 0.5 parts per million to be safe for food use. California’s Proposition 65 considers 0.084 to 3.164 parts per million to be safe. Our Fiesta Dinnerware averages cadmium release of LESS THAN 0.02 parts per million.”
Are Your Dishes Safe?
If you can’t determine if your current dishes were tested to meet California Proposition 65 or if they were purchased before the guidelines were published in 1987, you can follow these general guidelines.
Plain white dishware is more likely to be free of lead or cadmium (but some older white dishware can still contain lead).
These types of ceramic dishes are more likely to be a source of lead or cadmium:
Handmade (unless you can confirm the ingredients and proper firing)
Antique
Chipped or damaged
Ceramics colored red, yellow, or orange
Labelled as “Not Food Safe”
Ceramics with decorations on top of the glaze or rim
You can test for lead using lead test strips. A negative reading doesn’t guarantee there is no lead, but a positive reading will tell you there is lead.
Tamara Rubin of leadsafemama.com, uses special equipment to test individual products for lead content and reports on her findings. Keep in mind that even if a product tests positive for lead content it does not tell you anything about whether lead will leach out into food. Properly fired ceramics shouldn't leach but you may choose to avoid dishware with lead content, particularly if levels are high, as a precautionary measure.
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