There are many well-known non toxic dinnerware brands over the internet. Some are Asian, some are American-based, and some produce a variety of non toxic dinnerware products. Continue reading to the end for some of the best brands that focus on creating non-toxic dinnerware plates and bowls.
Non-toxic dinnerware brands include Annie Chun’s, Life and Leaf, and Rachael Ray; You may be familiar with these brands or perhaps not. However, most non-toxic dishware is made from glass, metal, and ceramics. Lead, cadmium, and Melamine are hidden dangers in many types of dishware.
Most of the dishes we use in our daily life are not made from natural or organic materials. Such kind of synthetic polymers can have negative effects on your health and environment. To solve this problem, people who are thinking green have started manufacturing organic items like plates, bowls, and cups you can use for your meals every day.
The result is that there are now many different types of non-toxic dinnerware available in the market today. You will be able to find some of the best brands on this page as I have carefully selected the best for your healthy living.
What is Toxic in Dinnerware?
Many different materials are employed to create dishware, which can be quite dangerous. Food grade plastic is one material that you will commonly find in dishes, but there are many different types of plastics, and some of these can leach harmful toxins into food.
Melamine is another substance used to manufacture plates. Unfortunately, Melamine is a form of plastic that has been linked to health issues like infertility. Lead and cadmium are also found in dishware, as they are common components used in the glazes that give certain porcelain and ceramic pieces a glossy finish.
These heavy metals can become dissolved in acidic foods such as tomatoes or wine, so it’s important to know what your dishes are made from if you want to keep these toxins out of your food.
Meanwhile, scientists have discovered that many products contain chemicals that may cause harm. For example, research has shown that some of the impurities in ceramicware may include aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, and lead. To protect your and your family’s health, always use high-temperature food safety ceramicware to enjoy your favorite foods without worry.
Effect of Lead and Cadmium in Dinnerware
Dinnerware from many brands of manufacturers can release unsafe levels of lead and cadmium in the food that it is served in, according to a new study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment. These heavy metals are known to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which are linked to birth defects and numerous other chronic health issues. The study focused on ceramic plates and dishes because many households across the United States commonly use this type of product.
It is worth bearing in mind that lead and cadmium can be released from ceramic crockery or glass. However, the amount that gets into food or drink is so tiny that there is no danger to health – unless you are eating or drinking from the same meal service all day long. People might be exposed to higher lead or cadmium than average in certain instances.
Lead Health Risks
You can be vulnerable to lead by breathing lead dust or fumes, skin contact with lead dust, chips, flakes, or swallowing the dust. Small amounts of lead can result in a build-up in your body over many years.
The Environmental Protection Agency has found that Lead-Based Paint and other lead hazards, such as lead dust, can pose serious health hazards. The most vulnerable are young children, six years of age, and younger.
However, Exposure to lead can be harmful to both children and adults. During childhood, it affects the brain and inhibits the development of a child’s nervous system. It can permanently damage the kidneys, heart, blood vessels, and nerve tissue in adults and children.
Moreso, the amount of lead in the human body, is measured in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL). There is no known fact or proof of a fact safe blood level of lead. But you can take steps to reduce the amount of lead in your body. Be aware of the lead content in foods and beverages sold in imported cans, such as Mexican food and beverages, Middle Eastern food, African food, or other foods and beverages sold at specialty stores.
Cadmium Health Risks
Cadmium is a common toxic heavy metal found in nickel-cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable batteries, plastics, and cigarette brands. While the average person is unlikely to encounter any substantial cadmium health risks, overexposure may pose serious health threats.
Also, Health risks associated with cadmium exposure are mainly due to cadmium accumulation in the body. Cadmium exposure can occur through inhalation, eating cadmium-contaminated food, and drinking cadmium-contaminated water.
The kidneys retain more than 99 percent of cadmium absorbed into the bloodstream. Kidney damage and osteoporosis have occurred in people with high levels of cadmium exposure. Eating food contaminated with cadmium rarely causes adverse health effects in healthy individuals, but it may worsen the symptoms of kidney disease and cause growth impairment in children.
How to Tell If Your Dishes Have Lead
For the vast majority of the 20th century, the most popular dishware material was ceramic. By its very nature, ceramic includes some lead, a toxic heavy metal that has no place in food preparation or eating. But how do you know if your dishes contain lead? And more importantly: are they safe to use? Although most modern crockery is lead-free, there are still particular ceramic dishes that can leach lead into your food — and perhaps even into your body — at dangerous levels.
Sometimes, lead shows up as green on the surface of a piece of pottery or dishware. But lead can also be colorless. And this fact makes it harder to figure out whether something is safe for use with food.
There are two common ways to test dishes for lead. First, a chemical test can be conducted by applying Barium Chloride solution to the item in question. If the item does contain lead, then it will change color. The second way is through a flame test. A small portion of the item would be burned with a flame, and if the flame turns bright red (like heat or fire), the glaze contains lead.
However, If you’re unsure whether your dishes have lead, you can take them to an independent testing lab for professional testing. You can also test for lead yourself using a Lead Check test kit found at most hardware stores. Swab the surface of a dish or piece of crystal and wait 8 minutes to read the results.
Is Melamine Safe?
Melamine is completely safe for use in the home. It is used in kitchen utensils, plates and bowls, and interior products like lampshades, blinds, furniture, and shelving. Because it has heat-resistant quality, is lightweight, and is extremely durable, Melamine is one of the most common household items.
When Melamine is used to make dinnerware, it’s a baking-safe form of plastic. Melamine is similar to plastic, but it is stronger and more heat resistant, making it good for plates, bowls, and other dishes.
However, Melamine is safe for food contact as long as it is heat-cured. Under high heat and pressure, melamine resin undergoes a chemical change where the molecules cross-link, forming an inert thermoset plastic—and melamine tableware is made with this material. Melamine cannot release fumes or be affected by hot foods or boiling water in this state.
Moreso, Melamine is strong and heat-resistant, allowing it to be used in tableware and adhesive. The name “melamine” alone does not suggest any specific chemical. Melamine is a white crystalline solid often used in manufacturing plastic dishes, cups, and bowls.
Which Materials are Considered Safest for Dinnerware?
There’s a big movement toward plastic-free dinnerware as consumers become more aware of plastics’ environmental and health hazards. The safest materials for dinnerware are glass, ceramic, bamboo, and stainless steel. Meanwhile, plastic can be a safe choice for dinnerware if it includes BPA-free polycarbonate material and is made from safe plastics.
However, when selecting dinnerware for families, the safer choice for both their health and the environment are options that do not contain lead or cadmium. Cadmium and lead can have adverse effects on health if eaten from materials that contain these hazardous materials. However, finding dinnerware that does not contain cadmium and lead is a challenge since most dishware manufacturers use a glaze material that contains one of these substances to provide color, strength, durability, and smoothness.
Generally, all materials have their pros and cons. Still, the most important factor in choosing a dinnerware material is understanding what you’re getting and whether it’ll work well with your eating habits and dishwashing routine.
How to Avoid Toxic in Dinnerware Usage
1. Avoid storing food and drinks in glazed containers
Because of the glaze, dinnerware can leach materials into food and drinks. To avoid toxins in your dinnerware usage, avoid storing food and drinks in glazed containers. It is especially important for acidic foods; never store them in glazed containers.
2. Do not use high heat with glazed dinnerware
Glazed dinnerware is dinnerware that has been coated with a non-crystalline glass of silica. This thick coating is most frequently used over stoneware and ceramic. As the glaze is applied to the dinnerware, it creates a waterproof finish that helps protect the dinnerware from chipping and cracking. Glazed dinnerware comes in a wide variety of colors and designs. Because glazed dinnerware does have a protective coating, the use of abrasive cleaners and high heat should be avoided.
3. Avoid dishwasher
Microwaving foods in glazed dinnerware may generate steam that splatters and cause burns. For this reason, do not cover foods with a tight-fitting cover, as the hot steam may lead to burns when removing the cover. Let cooked foods stand for two minutes to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, dinnerware that is safe for use in an oven or under a broiler will generally be noted as such on the manufacturer’s label.
Non Toxic Dinnerware Brands – Buying Guide
Choose lead-free or lead-safe options
When it comes to dinnerware, most people know that they should avoid brands with lead in them. Lead is unsafe, especially when ingested, and may cause illness and have long-term effects. Choosing lead-free or lead-safe options is important to ensure your family’s proper health and safety.
Non-toxic dinnerware brands are often labeled as ‘lead free’ or ‘lead safe’ to indicate that the amount of lead contained in the product is under legal safety regulations.
FDA or California’s Proposition 65 standards
Essentially, any dishware that does not meet FDA or California’s Proposition 65 standards is considered toxic by these agencies’ rules. That means if a brand fails to meet those standards, you should avoid them altogether.
Keep an eye out for labels
When purchasing dinnerware, pay close attention to labels such as “for decorative purposes only” or “not food safe.” These labels mean that the item cannot be used for food. The dishwasher-safe or non-toxic sticker does not mean that the product is safe for food and dishes. You will have to look for plates, bowls, and cups that can be used for food and beverages.
Decoration and Color
When choosing non-toxic dinnerware, choose a more simple style without decoration. The decoration and color of the dinnerware are susceptible to burning, peeling, or cracking off into your food. The less decoration and coloring, the better. Stick to clear or white varieties.
Also, If you want to avoid toxic plastics, stick with simple clear or white varieties. Avoid brightly colored and decorative designs if possible, as they may be more likely to contain harmful chemicals. If you plan on using these dishes often, glass and ceramic are good options, but keep in mind that ceramic is an opaque material, so it’s hard to see what’s inside the bowl.
If a busy pattern is important to you, look for ceramic dishes made in the USA or Europe, where regulations banning harmful chemicals are much stricter than those in China and Southeast Asia.
Get a home test kit
If you’re concerned that your current dishes may contain lead, purchase a home test kit and put your mind at ease. A home test kit can also be helpful if you have an eclectic set of dishes that come from different places and you’d like to make sure the pieces you use together are compatible.
Avoid vintage dinnerware
If you want to avoid lead, don’t be tempted by vintage dinnerware or old plates that have been passed down through your family. Many families have dishes they use only on special occasions to appear in excellent condition. Unless you’re sure they were made by companies that never used lead, they’re not worth the risk.
Look for BPA free Dinnerware
Many dinnerware and dishes are made with harmful chemicals (like BPA (bisphenol A), cadmium, and lead). But there are also lots of great dinnerware options free of toxic materials. Look for dinner sets that use natural materials like organic bamboo, certified organic bamboo, unglazed clay, recycled glass, stoneware, and porcelain.
Non Toxic Dinnerware Brands Review
Make life easier by making your dishes serve multiple purposes. Use for both snacks and meals regular. These are the dishes you bring with you that eliminate disposable plates and cups from your outings; this can only be achievable with eco-friendly non toxic dinnerware.
1. Anchor Hocking 8-Inch Presence Glass Salad Plate
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Anchor Hocking 8-Inch Presence Glass Salad Plate. One of the most trusted and high-ranking names in glassware, Anchor Hocking, brings over 100 years of experience to your table. They are an excellent value for everyday use and entertaining; their brilliant glass designs are produced with quality and safety in mind.
These affordable dishes make mixing and matching a breeze and effortless addition to any decor. Anchor Hocking Presence plates are made of crystal clear glass that is dishwasher safe and ideal for everyday use.
It is greatly used as a dessert plate or any small snack. It is made in the USA of recycled glass and can go right into the dishwasher.
2. Corelle 18 Piece Dinnerware Sets
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This dinnerware set is 18 Piece Livingware Winter Frost Dinner Plate Set features classic all white with a bright rim design, looks beautiful in any table setting, chip and break-resistant. It is made in the USA.
Additionally, Corelle dinnerware is easy to handle and features a modern round design, Dishwasher safe, plates are stackable for space-saving efficiency.
It is lightweight and durable Vitrelle glass, which is break-, chip-, scratch- and stain-resistant. This dinnerware set service includes six dinner plates, six luncheon plates, and six soup/cereal bowls. The dinner plates and luncheon plates nicely serve third helpings on 10.25 inches and 8.5 inches diameters.
3. Euro Ceramica Essential Collection Porcelain Dinnerware and Serveware
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Euro Ceramica, Essential Collection Porcelain Dinnerware and Serveware, 16 Piece, Service for 4, White. This elegant tableware set is just what you need to give your tablescape an upgrade. The beautiful modern design features a reactive glaze finish and organic edges that add a distinctive hint of class to everyday meals and entertaining.
This beautiful porcelain dinnerware set is perfect for casual meals and special occasions alike, with a timeless design that will beautify all types of decor. The sturdy ceramic construction is ideal for everyday use.
4. Libbey Tempo 12-Piece Glass Dinnerware Set
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The Libbey Tempo 12-Piece Glass Dinnerware Set includes four dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls. It features clean lines, a rimmed design, and a blend of modern and soft colors. This Libbey dinnerware set has glass construction that is durable and sturdy, so you can use it for everyday meals or special occasions and know it will last a long time.
The classic whiteness and rounded rims help create an appealing presentation, no matter what you’re serving. You can put them into the dishwasher, making clean up quick and convenient.
Also, the round shapes and clean lines combine beautifully to create a perfect table setting for indoor or outdoor dining. Great for everyday dining or entertaining, the clear glass complements any décor for a beautiful presentation.
With squared-off rims, each plate and bowl keeps sauces on your plate and off the table. Durable for everyday use, this set is also dishwasher-safe and break-resistant.
5. Stone Lain Coupe Dinnerware Set
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The Stone Lain Coupe Dinnerware Set can brighten up your table in a flash. Each piece is made from stoneware and comes in bright stunning colors.
Great for everyday use, vacations, and more. This dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and safe oven set is the perfect addition to any family home or beach house.
The Stone Lain dinnerware set has a refreshing, non cliche style perfect for casual use. Its color hues vary slightly, giving it a trendy textured marble effect. The dinner plates are durable stoneware and rise 1 inch from the table.
Set includes 4 complete place settings with service for 4. Each place setting includes 4 pieces; includes 4 of 11″ dinner plate, 8.5″ salad plate, 6.4″ bowl, and 14 oz mug.
What Is the Least Toxic Dinnerware?
There are several non-toxic brands on the market today. It is important to consider what you will use the dinnerware for and what context you are serving your family or clients before purchasing a set.
For instance, while safe and non-toxic, porcelain is prone to chipping or breaking if dropped or otherwise mishandled. As well, because it is one of the more common types of non-toxic dinnerware, if you’re planning on having a formal event or reception, it’s best to choose something less common to stand out from other guests.
I will pick bamboo dinnerware for multiple reasons. From a safety perspective, bamboo is one of the most durable, lightweight materials. It won’t break or scratch during use like porcelain, ceramic, and glass. Unlike plastic and metal, which can leach chemicals into food and drinks, bamboo is non-porous and won’t absorb food odors or stains.
Are Corelle Plates Non Toxic?
Corelle is non-toxic, which makes them safe to use. There are no reported deficiencies regarding heat, cold, and even microwave. Corelle is made of a unique glass material, Vitrelle porcelain. It comprises three layers, each composed of glass; the plates are non-toxic. They are sanded down and smooth, with no sharp edges.
Additionally, Corelle doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals or lead. And the glass itself is all-natural, so it’s free of any harmful compounds. It’s part of what makes our dinnerware non-toxic, microwave safe, and dishwasher safe.
The dinnerware is dishwasher safe as long as it is placed on the top rack (away from the heating element); however, I recommend hand-washing too often can cause your dishes to wear out sooner than anticipated.
Which Dinnerware Set Material Is Best for Health?
It depends on what the goal is. Of course, the ultimate goal is to eat healthy meals in a healthy environment using healthy tools. The choice of dinnerware set materials can affect your health in multiple ways (some are more significant than others).
Dinnerware can be made of many different materials such as porcelain, ceramic, glass, stoneware, Melamine, Melmac, stainless steel, and more.
The best dinnerware set material is porcelain as long as it is fired at a high enough temperature to form true porcelain glass impermeable to chemicals, food, and water. Bone china or stoneware are the next choices if pure porcelain isn’t available in the color of your choice.
For the most part, materials like porcelain, bone china, and stoneware are safe. Avoid items that contain lead and cadmium — especially if you are using them for children’s dishes.
Conclusion
I hope this post has helped you discover an eco-friendly dinnerware set that fits your budget style and narrow down your options by finding some of the best non toxic dinnerware brands out on the market. Whether you’re looking for Melamine or porcelain, these options won’t give you a sour stomach.
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.