New Warning on Ceramic Souvenirs

If you don’t want to risk lead poisoning from improperly glazed ceramics bought overseas, be careful about which items you use when serving or storing food.

The Food and Drug Administration earlier expressed concern over ceramic tableware sold overseas, and U.S. Customs now includes a warning on the subject in its “Know Before You Go” pamphlets.

The FDA specifically recommends that ceramic tableware bought in such countries as Mexico, China, Hong Kong or India be tested for lead release by a commercial laboratory--or only used for decorative purposes. The same advice applies to some other countries where attractive ceramic items are popular purchases.

The FDA has been setting limits, called “action levels,” on the amount of lead that can leach from ceramic ware since 1971. These levels were last tightened in 1980. Now the FDA is considering further tightening its rules.

One of the problem areas are decorative and ornamental articles that may be mistakenly used for food purposes because of their shape or design.

Warning Label

Accordingly, to make sure that decorative articles are distinguishable from food-service articles, the FDA is proposing that decorative ceramic ware that could be mistakenly considered suitable for food use must have a conspicuous warning on the base of the article saying, “Not For Food Use--May Poison Food.”

In lieu of this warning a hole can be drilled through the potential food-contact surface, thereby limiting its usefulness for carrying food.

The FDA is primarily concerned about pitchers that might be used to hold liquids that have a high acidic content such as orange juice.

The FDA proposal, which affects ceramic ware sold in the United States (much of which is imported from overseas), still does not protect you from lead leaching from pots and pitchers bought abroad.

Unfortunately, it’s impossible for the traveler to tell whether a ceramic piece has lead in the glaze and whether this glaze was produced under acceptable standards for food use.

Lead and Cadmium

“Some of these colorful items purchased overseas have high levels of lead and cadmium which can be leached when the article has been improperly glazed and the colors aren’t correctly sealed,” said Marvin Blumberg, a consumer safety officer for the FDA.

Glazes containing lead and cadmium are used to coat many ceramic products. This thin glassy coating is fused onto a shaped body of clay in a kiln. The lead provides the shiny patina, with the cadmium enhancing the colors. Both lead and cadmium are toxic metals.

A glaze containing lead must be heated or fired at a sufficiently high temperature, and for a certain time, to ensure its safety. Both the temperature and the time vary according to the glaze formula used, the size of the piece and other factors.

If the glazing process is improperly done, the metals can be released from the item’s finish.

“The biggest danger with poor glazes comes with foods that have a high acid content, since there’s always a possibility of the acid interacting with the glaze’s components and eventually leaching out the lead and cadmium into the food,” Blumberg said.

Apple sauce, citrus fruits, pickle products and salad dressings are some foods that may be vulnerable.

Blumberg advised travelers who may be interested in using ceramic items for food storage to beware of hand-painted items and products that have highly colored surfaces and appear poorly glazed. Similarly, be on the lookout for hand painting that isn’t underneath the glaze.

Buying quality products from better stores can provide some assurance, but even major manufacturers may have poor batches.

“The potential danger can come from any product that has to go through a kiln to seal the colors, whether the item costs a few cents or hundreds of dollars,” Blumberg said.

U.S. Customs offers similar advice. “Don’t buy anything for food use that’s unglazed,” said Gerita Hinkel, a Customs spokeswoman.

“If the item isn’t produced by a manufacturer for table use, don’t buy it unless you want it for decorative purposes. Don’t use items you buy in stalls and outdoor bazaars with food. Even some glazed merchandise isn’t safe. I wouldn’t want to drink or eat anything cold out of any cheap ceramic ware.”

To spot-check a glaze, Hinkel advises putting your fingers to the test. “If it’s smooth to the touch and shiny, it’s been glazed. Rub your fingers over the article, and if it feels chalky and not smooth and slick, then it hasn’t been glazed at all. Or it’s been painted over and not reglazed.”

Test kits are sold that can be used to detect a potential problem. You can also take your items to a commercial lab for testing, a more exact and expensive proposition.

Complimentary copies of an article--”Pretty Poison: Lead and Ceramic Ware”--are available from the Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Md. 20587. Ask for FDA publication number 87-1139.

Comments on the FDA proposed tighter rules should be sent to the agency at the above address, citing Docket No. 89N-0014, by July 31.