Toxin-Free Dinnerware for a Healthy Home
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About 8 years ago I was searching for non-toxic dinnerware options and discovered that many companies were not transparent with the quality and the materials being used. There were so many cute sets out there but I found it hard to find out if they would pose a hazard in the long run by leaching chemicals in to the food I was eating.
I recently started researching dinnerware sets again since my bowls and plates were chipping. I’m finding the same brands are the top non-toxic options, and I’m surprised that more companies still aren’t transparent with what they use and how they create their products. For this post I’m going to focus on the companies that are transparent with how they make their bowls and plates and highlight some of the best non-toxic dinnerware options.
If you want to skip ahead, here’s a sneak peak at the top toxin-free dinnerware picks:
What materials are toxic in dinnerware?
The proven toxic materials in dinnerware are lead and cadmium. Lead is used in the glazes or decorations on some ceramic dinnerware. Cadmium adds bright colors to dinnerware, like yellow and orange. The concern is having the chemicals leach in to the food which would then be ingested in to the body.
In the 1970s, The US Food and Drug Administration started regulating dinnerware that contains lead. The FDA states the following about the regulations:
“If the ceramicware contains lead and is properly made, it can be sold in the U.S.”
FDA
“The FDA monitors and regulates levels of lead in certain foods, foodwares, dietary supplements, and cosmetics, because of its potential to cause serious health problems.
To limit the amount of lead that may leach into foods from tableware, the FDA sets allowable levels used in glazed ceramic pottery (for use in serving, storing and preparing foods) and silver flatware and tableware and established labeling requirements for ornamental and decorative ceramicware containing lead. These ceramicwares must contain a specific label identifying the danger of using it with food.”
FDA
Lead Health Risks:
Lead has negative health effects, especially for pregnant women and children. The World Health Organization states that “There is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects.”
“Young children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead and can suffer profound and permanent adverse health effects, particularly affecting the development of the brain and nervous system. Lead also causes long-term harm in adults, including increased risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage. Exposure of pregnant women to high levels of lead can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and low birth weight.”
Cadmium Health Risks:
Prop 65 states the following health risks of cadmium:
- Prostate, Kidney, and Lung Cancer
- Birth Defects and Reproductive Harm
- Child’s development if exposed during pregnancy
Types of Dinnerware to Avoid:
The FDA gave these guidelines on the types of dinnerware to avoid since there is the potential to contain lead or cadmium:
- handmade with a crude appearance or irregular shape
- antique
- damaged or excessively worn
- purchased from flea markets or street vendors or if you are unable to determine whether the pottery is from a reliable manufacturer
- brightly decorated in orange, red, or yellow color, as lead is often used with these pigments to increase their intensity.
Action Steps to Take if You are Concerned About Your Dinnerware
- Purchase a lead testing kit and test your current dinnerware
- Look for a warning label on the bottom of the product
- Replace the product with lead and cadmium free option if you are unsure, and you could use your existing dinnerware as decorations if you love the look of them
Now lets get in to the best non-toxic dinnerware options!
Best Non-Toxic Dinnerware: Plates and Bowls
Since the United States has strict regulations when it comes to lead, I focused on highlighting companies that make the products in the USA (Ikea was the exception) without lead and cadmium.
Corelle Winter White Frost Collection
Which Corelle dishes are lead and cadmium free? It’s the Corelle Winter White Frost Collection. This is what I purchased after my research and I absolutely them! They have not cracked after falling to the ground MANY times (even down the stairs once). According to the Corelle Website, the product is made from a “special glass lamination process that thermally bonds two clear “skin” layers of glass to a white or beige “core” layer.” Here is what I love about the winter white frost collection:
- Lead and Cadmium Free
- Light Weight
- “No Chip, No Crack Guarantee”
- Great for families with kids
- Inexpensive
- Made in the US
- Easy to Clean
- Minimal – my old set took up an entire shelf, the design is streamlined and stacks so nicely that I now take up ¼ of the shelf.
- You have various size options to choose from
- Corelle offers various size options and styles to choose from, just make sure what you purchase is the winter white frost color option. If you like larger bowls, I recommend ordering the Corelle Winter White 28 ounce super soup/cereal bowls, or the Corelle 46 ounce bowls. They are a fabulous addition to the set above. I microwave oatmeal often and the size of these bowls prevents the contents from boiling over, and this also applies to heating up soup. Great cereal bowls for adults looking to chow down! Does anyone else enjoy dessert cereal like I do?!
Corelle Winter White 28 ounce super soup/cereal bowls:
Corelle Winter White 46 ounce bowls:
A popular question is which Corelle dish patterns have lead?
Avoid their ceramic stoneware and mugs because they do contain low levels of lead and here is their response about lead:
“All Corelle® stoneware products and glazes are made of clay-based materials and glazes used throughout the industry. Decorations, if present, are made from low-lead enamels and fired at temperatures exceeding 1000 degrees F, which binds any heavy metals both physically and chemically so that their release is minimized. The current limit for presence of leachable lead in order to satisfy certain requirements is no more than 0.100 ppm (1 tenth of one part per million) when obtained under test conditions. At no time have Corelle Brands results exceeded levels permissible under the guidelines mentioned above (which are believed to be the most stringent in the world).”
I would avoid products manufactured before 2005 since they didn’t have as tight lead safety regulations. Lead Safe Mama also had a viral post stating a representative at Corelle recommends using their pre-2005 products as decoration since they contain lead. You can read more about what they had to say in this blog post.
Ikea
Ikea does offer some dinnerware options at an affordable price that are listed as “no cadmium or lead added.” When going to their website, you need to look at the product details under the sustainability and environment section to view this information. Here are the options I found on their site that list no cadmium or lead added.
Fiesta Wear
If you like your dinnerware to have a sturdy feel and want bold colors then Fiesta Wear could be a great fit for you. My friend has various pieces from Fiesta Wear, she mixes and matches and it’s a fun look!
Here are the benefits listed on their site:
- Fully vitrified ceramics – industrial strength – Will not absorb odors or moisture
- Lead Free
- Made in USA (Newell, WV)
- Microwave Safe
- Dishwasher Safe
- Oven proof
- Chip resistance – with a 5 year chip replacement warranty
- Available in more than 75 dinnerware and accessory pieces including bakeware.
Anchor Hocking
I sure do love me some glass, however I’ve never thought about using it as a dinnerwear option. If you are in to glass bowls and plates, give the Anchor Hocking glass bowls and plates a try! Here are some of the benefits:
- Pure glass design protects the flavor of the food
- Dishwasher Safe for Easy Cleaning
- Anchor Hocking Glass is made in the USA
- Lead, cadmium, and heavy metal free
Final Thoughts
Lead exposure comes from many sources such as lead in paint, water pipes, soil, toys, cosmetics, and you can add dinnerware to the list. Lead and cadmium are cumulative toxins. Lead is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones. It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time. Since it builds up in your body, it’s important to try to reduce your exposure which includes being aware of the dinnerware you are using. The products listed above come from companies that are transparent about how they make their products (which is not always the case with other companies). I hope these options make it easier for you to find a non-toxic dinnerware set that is safe for you and your family!
Brekke
