Dinnerware - A Source of Poisoning?

Do you think of lead poisoning whilst eating? There is every chance that each time you eat, you food is being contaminated by lead. A lot of our dishes, plates, bowls and cups have lead in their composition, be it, melamine, porcelain, china, bone china or glass, they all have lead in them. They are usually present in the glaze or colourful designs on decorated and brightly coloured dinnerware. They are also used on surfaces for durability so even the plain white ones are not exempted but may be safer because flaws are more visible on white.

We are safe from the lead that is used in these things until it begins to leach into our food and drinks! This takes place when our dining wares start to have cracks, crevices, scratches, pits etc, creating avenues for it to get into our food. That may result in slow poisoning which over time with its accumulation may lead to adverse health effects.

Although our bodies can tolerate some lead, it is better to be safe than sorry. How much is being consumed and the level of tolerance per person are difficult questions to answer, coupled with the fact that there are various other sources of exposure. Even children’s toys and playground equipments are known to contain lead. When buying toys for your children, err on the side of caution and buy from reputable companies who hopefully uphold good ethical standards.

Lead is a toxic substance that can affect people of any age. It is more dangerous to children, pregnant women and unborn babies because it affects the development of the brain and nerves. Lead poisoning can cause stomach problems, headaches and seizures in adults.

Good quality dinnerware should be resistant to thermal shocks, wear and tear,  be non-porous and anti-scratch. And by all means, once you spot a crack, signs of pitting, cracking or crevices and any sign of material change in a dish, plate, bowl, mug etc as a result of use, do away with it. It is no longer safe!

Any change is a chemical reaction and it simply means that the chemical make up of your ware is migrating into food eaten or stored in it. Invariably, your healthy food is becoming poison!

Asides the danger of poisoning, those changes also make the wares ideal grounds for bacteria that can contaminate the food and make the user sick.

Keep well and safe! See you soon…..