Judy Athey Posted June 9, 2013 Report Share Posted June 9, 2013 Is there a way to test if pottery is food safe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted June 9, 2013 Report Share Posted June 9, 2013 The term "food safe" has no reall "legal" definition. What most people mean is, "will this surface leach out anything harmful into food"? While there are what might be called "home tests" ...such as using household vinegar and looking for surface or color changes, the only REAL way to know FOR SURE is having laboratory standard leach tests done. These tests are mildly destructive... if the surface is not stable. Meaning that it COULD potentially alter the piece a little. Additionally, you need to know what you are testing FOR. The only lechates regulated in the USA (and the Statge of Calif.) are lead and cadmium compounds. Ther are others that COULD potentially be of concern. Lab testing will cost you about $30-40 for tha basic test...and about an additional $10-30 per compound that you wish to have tested for. Plus the shipping of the piece back and forth. When compared to drinking out of plastic bottles, microwaving in plastic containers , and using plastic food wraps..... usually pottery is of little concern. But few think of what the plastics are getting into foods. best, .............john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted June 9, 2013 Report Share Posted June 9, 2013 The term "food safe" has no reall "legal" definition. What most people mean is, "will this surface leach out anything harmful into food"? While there are what might be called "home tests" ...such as using household vinegar and looking for surface or color changes, the only REAL way to know FOR SURE is having laboratory standard leach tests done. These tests are mildly destructive... if the surface is not stable. Meaning that it COULD potentially alter the piece a little. Additionally, you need to know what you are testing FOR. The only lechates regulated in the USA (and the Statge of Calif.) are lead and cadmium compounds. Ther are others that COULD potentially be of concern. Lab testing will cost you about $30-40 for tha basic test...and about an additional $10-30 per compound that you wish to have tested for. Plus the shipping of the piece back and forth. When compared to drinking out of plastic bottles, microwaving in plastic containers , and using plastic food wraps..... usually pottery is of little concern. But few think of what the plastics are getting into foods. best, .............john Pretty much everything we humans do, is killing us slowly. I guess the goal, is to not add to the list of things that is expediting the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iforgot Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 The term "food safe" has no reall "legal" definition. What most people mean is, "will this surface leach out anything harmful into food"? While there are what might be called "home tests" ...such as using household vinegar and looking for surface or color changes, the only REAL way to know FOR SURE is having laboratory standard leach tests done. These tests are mildly destructive... if the surface is not stable. Meaning that it COULD potentially alter the piece a little. Additionally, you need to know what you are testing FOR. The only lechates regulated in the USA (and the Statge of Calif.) are lead and cadmium compounds. Ther are others that COULD potentially be of concern. Lab testing will cost you about $30-40 for tha basic test...and about an additional $10-30 per compound that you wish to have tested for. Plus the shipping of the piece back and forth. When compared to drinking out of plastic bottles, microwaving in plastic containers , and using plastic food wraps..... usually pottery is of little concern. But few think of what the plastics are getting into foods. best, .............john Well, in that case, if a glaze recipe dose not contain lead, cadmium, barium, manganese, or any other harmful material then is having leach testing for lead, cadmium, and the like pointless? Darrel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 Well, in that case, if a glaze recipe dose not contain lead, cadmium, barium, manganese, or any other harmful material then is having leach testing for lead, cadmium, and the like pointless? Darrel, Yes. best, .................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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