We all love a good home cooked meal, but when it comes time to plate those tasty creations, conventional dishware might be serving up more than just your favorite foods. The impact of toxic dishware on human health encompasses a wide range of concerns. Toxic materials in dishware can leach into food, which means that you are potentially ingesting harmful substances that could affect your health. Not to mention that heavy metals in dishware can accumulate in the body over time, potentially causing organ damage and a host of other issues. [1] So let’s uncover the harmful materials lurking in your plates, platters, and bowls, and delve into some non-toxic dishware options that offer healthier and more sustainable dining solutions.
Below are some common toxic dishware materials to AVOID:
Lead & Cadmium: The health risks of lead and cadmium in dishware can lead to health issues like organ damage, particularly in the kidneys and brain, and developmental delays. [2] The problem is that these heavy metals are prevalent in most ceramic and porcelain dishware because they are coated with glazes containing lead and cadmium, which can leach into your food (acidic and hot dishes in particular). [3]
Melamine: Melamine is a common material that can be found in plastic dishware, allowing for durability. However, prolonged use of this dishware can result in melamine toxicity, which can cause kidney problems and even kidney failure. [4]
Bisphenol A (BPA) & Bisphenol S (BPS): Oftentimes, plastic dishware contains BPA and BPS. BPA and BPS are chemicals that have been known to disrupt the endocrine system causing hormonal disruption as well as other health issues like cancer, infertility, and developmental problems, especially in children. [5]
Phthalates: Phthalates are plasticizers with many of them being likely carcinogens (cancer-causing) and are commonly used in the production of plastic dishware to enhance their flexibility. However, these chemicals can leach into food, creating potential health problems such as hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and developmental concerns. [6]
Other Microplastics: Plastics in general, whether described with a long, unpronounceable name or other mystery title, should be avoided in dishware as these plastics can cause heart disease, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and more. [7]
Safer dishware choices ensure that food stays free from harmful contaminants and limits exposure to toxic materials, safeguarding your health and that of your loved ones. Not only is non-toxic dishware better for your health and well-being, but it’s often more sustainable in terms of both production and post-life processes.
Not only is your dishware potentially toxic, but so are the pots and pans you use to prepare mealtime favorites. Check out this post about non-toxic cookware to learn more.
Top Non-Toxic Dishware Choices
It’s clear that switching to non-toxic dishware is beneficial on many levels for your health and the planet. Below are four non-toxic dinnerware recommendations that will allow you to serve up your creations without the mystery chemicals.
Corelle plates and bowls are made of Vitrelle glass, meaning it's made with three-layered glass material. The outer layers are made with clear glass, while the inner layer is made with opaque white glass. Their dinnerware set is free of lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals, while offering a similar look to ceramic dinnerware sets. I verified with them that their dishware is free of heavy metals since their website does not specifically state this information.
Find it on their website.
This is a glass dinnerware set that is free of lead, cadmium, and BPA, and the glass is made of soda-lime, which they verified when I reached out to them. Overall, it’s a safer dinnerware option compared to many conventional sets on the market while still being affordable.
HaWare Stainless Steel Plates (may not be suitable for those with allergy to nickel)
HaWare offers a set of stainless steel plates made out of 18/8 (304) stainless steel. The stainless steel does not contain lead, however, during processing due to the collision of processing tools that may contain very small amounts of lead, there is a chance that trace amounts of lead may be present.
Available on Amazon.
Bormioli dinnerware is made of opal glass that is free of heavy metals. It’s lead free, cadmium free, and arsenic free while offering a more traditional dinnerware aesthetic.
It’s important to select dishware from a reliable source to ensure that it is safe for dining purposes like the four above options. Prioritize your health and well-being by swapping out toxic dinnerware for healthier and more eco-friendly dishware choices.
References
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