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Why take long-term health risks? Invest in real tableware!

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You work hard and fill your plates and bowls with healthy organic food. You can even research the best cookware to prevent toxins in food. Too bad, the cutlery you use to chew delicious meals may undermine your efforts to keep chemicals out of the kitchen. Anyway, if you use melamine tableware.

Melamine is a chemical used in the manufacture of plastics, adhesives and industrial coatings. In the United States, melamine is used to make plastic products, paper, cardboard, and kitchen utensils, including bowls, plates, cups and tableware, and other products. According to the FDA, melamine is even used as a fertilizer in other countries, although it is not "registered" for this purpose in the United States. Melamine is exactly the same chemical found in contaminated infant formula that killed 6 babies and sickened thousands in China in 2008.

Melamine is an ingredient in some plastic tableware. When combined with formaldehyde, melamine becomes a melamine resin, which can be molded into tableware when heated. You may have seen (or used) melamine tableware, even if you may not be familiar with the name. Melamine plates, bowls and cups are hard plastic plates that are very durable and crack-resistant, and come in many shapes, colors and patterns. They have a noticeably smooth texture.

You may be wondering whether it is safe to use melamine in a microwave oven, and whether melamine tableware poses a potential health risk by immersing chemicals in food. Especially because we already know that microwave food in plastic containers (even microwave safe plastic) is a health taboo. 

The US Food and Drug Administration pointed out that the risk of melamine infiltrating food from tableware is very low. As long as it is not used to heat food, especially acidic food, melamine can be used. So this is a clear denial of the use of melamine panels in microwave ovens! Considering how necessary and convenient it is to reheat leftovers, and considering how much food is acidic, this is also a warning! 

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in January 2013 found that if you use melamine tableware with hot food, melamine will seep out of the tableware into the food, and then into your body. The study surveyed 12 people. Although the sample size was small, six people ate hot soup with melamine bowls for breakfast, and the other six ate them with ceramic bowls. Studies have found that compared with ceramic bowls, the use of melamine bowls results in higher levels of melamine excreted in the urine of individuals.

"Although the clinical significance of urinary melamine levels has not been determined, the consequences of long-term exposure to melamine should still cause concern," wrote the author of the study, which is a researcher at the institute, Dr. Chia-Fang Wu. Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan.

As the author of the study pointed out, this study did not consider any potential health risks associated with the use of melamine tableware-it is just that this chemical will leach into the food from the tableware. At high concentrations, melamine pollution can put people at risk of kidney stones, kidney failure and even death. 

Made In's non-toxic tableware is durable. 

Purchase a specific single product or a complete set on Made In, with prices ranging from $49 to $210. 

Maybe you are counting the tableware mix that has accumulated over time and realize that it is time to switch to high-quality tableware that is safe, durable, and beautiful. Whether you have recently moved into a new home, have just renovated your kitchen, or just want to focus on your health, we recommend Made In porcelain tableware. It is made from fully vitrified high-quality clay in England, making it very durable and completely non-porous (prevent water and bacteria from entering). These plates are fully glazed, will not be scratched by forks and knives, and can be dishwasher-washed, microwave-safe, refrigerator-safe, even if the tomato soup is reheated in the microwave, it will not leach toxic chemicals (such as melamine) ). 

Editor's note: Interesting fact, "porcelain" and "porcelain" both describe the same type of ceramic ware. The term "porcelain" is more commonly used in Europe, while the term "porcelain" is more commonly used in the United States.

All in all, although the FDA considers melamine to be "relatively" safe, researchers have stated that long-term exposure needs to be studied. Before we know more, why bother with these things? If you find yourself using melamine tableware to reheat leftovers in the microwave, we think it’s time to buy some real tableware. 

By the way, melamine is not recyclable. If you want to get rid of melamine kitchenware, this will be a real ecological problem. Try to find new ways to reuse the melamine tableware before throwing it away. Maybe use a bowl to hold the jewelry, or place a plate under the potted plants to catch extra water? Be creative!

Follow Kirsten on Twitter @kirsten_hudson, Google and Pinterest.

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