Are Dinnerware Safe Glazes Safe?

[vyoungman]

I use lead free, non toxic and dinnerware safe glazes on bowls, plates, cups, etc. and assume that food microwaved in them is safe, as safe as any microwaved food is.  A customer recently wanted me to confirm this, so I thought I would put it out here.

 Also, I have used dinnerware safe blues and greens for bowls, etc., but have a vague memory about someone advising against this.  If glazes are labeled safe for food use, aren't they safe (regardless of color)?

Finally, in the past I called a glaze company about layering food safe glazes and I believe they said they could not confirm their safety because of layering.  Aren't many many food pots presently made decorated with layered glazes?  Can some be used in layering and others not?

THANKS FOR ANY ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE ME!!

[Guest JBaymore]

Pet peeve of mine here........

 

There are a lot of people making and selling pots for food usage that have no idea about the technical side of things and have no real idea if their product they are selling actually is "food safe".  So just because you see something being done does not mean that is is "researched" or "good" or whatever you want to call that.

 

Worst part of this whole issue is that the term "food safe" is basically a meaningless term, and not defined by any regulatory body.  The US FDA has legal standards for only the leaching of lead and cadmium out of glazes..... nothing else.  And those stadards are not limitig a glaze from CONTAINING those oxides... just the leaching of them.  (Many commercial dinnerware glazes still contains lead.)

 

The manufacturers do not indemnify the end user for the use of their product in the making of work for sale.  That means... it is up to YOU to know if the glaze is safe to sell for food useage.  You hold the liability and the responsibility.  The only way you will know is to forumlate a testing regimine and operform the "due dilligence" to figure that out.

 

Note that if a glaze does not contain any potentially toxic ingredients... then it does not matter if it leaches (from a liablity standpoint).  But using commercial glazes....... they will not give you the recipe or formula... so you don't know.

 

This subject comes up a LOT here.  See the FAQ listing at the top of this forum section about "is this glaze food safe".  Lots of good info on there to read. 

 

best,

 

..........................john

[Biglou13]

And don't get started on food safe vs sanitary safe............

Maybe the question should be what is if any is leaching out on given clay body, for specific firing.thats assuming your kiln fires consistently from top to bottom. What is acceptable amount of given lechate? Is your body consistent from batch to batch. Is my clay mature? Is my glaze mature? Does glaze fit? Etc etc.(I claim.no expertise I have stayed at holiday inn.)

[Bob Coyle]

It also has to do with end use of the piece. Is it a platter that gets used once and a while and has minimal contact with food or is it tumbler set that may be used with very acidic drinks? 

 

I would have no problem using a platter that I knew contained lead to serve cookies. But if the same glaze was used on the inside of a pitcher, I would steer clear of it.

 

I'm not saying that it doesn't happen, but I don't remember recently reading about any case of metal poisoning from using ceramic vessels.I sure have heard of  cases among the people who made those vessels.

 

The only pieces I make that are used with food are for my own use. Most of the time I use a simple white glaze on the inside that contains no metals that might be harmful.

 

Avoid paranoia about poisoning but when in doubt...err on the side of safety.

[Guest JBaymore]

Avoid paranoia about poisoning but when in doubt...err on the side of safety.

 

Amen to that.

 

best,

 

....................john

[timbo_heff]

Send samples to Brandywine or Alfred for testing: that is the only way to know with confidence.

Doesn't cost very much... a bargain at twice the price