Our daily lives are surrounded by food safety risks that often go unnoticed
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN OR USED THIS TYPE OF TABLEWARE WHEN DINING OUT?
- Regardless of the material, tableware that is damaged, cracked, or excessively used can lead to the leaching of lead and heavy metals. These harmful substances can cause irreversible damage to the human body.
RISKY TABLEWARE: POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS
- Dull or Worn Surfaces: Should never be used for serving food or beverages, as deterioration may indicate material degradation.
- Homemade or Handcrafted Tableware: The materials and glazes used may not meet safety standards, posing potential health risks.
- Scratched, Chipped, or Broken Surfaces: Damaged glaze can easily leach lead into food, increasing exposure to harmful substances.
- Brightly Colored Glazes: May contain high levels of lead. Be cautious of highly pigmented glazes, especially on inner surfaces that come into direct contact with food and drinks.
- Decorative Elements: Surface decorations, particularly those applied over the glaze, can contain lead and leach into food or beverages, especially when in contact with acidic or salty foods. Be mindful of visible brush strokes, pottery studio ceramics, and any broken or missing decorative decals.
LEAD CONTAMINATION IN TABLEWARE
- A study conducted by the Malaysian Association of Standards Users revealed that 20% of tested tableware contained leachable lead exceeding the permissible limit by an average of 1,700%. Shockingly, a single flat rice plate exceeded the allowable limit by 7,500%.
- In a separate study, 83.7% of tested plates were found to exceed the safety limits set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), highlighting the widespread risk of lead exposure from everyday tableware.
