Are Melamine Dishes Safe to Use?
- Melamine is an organic compound often combined with formaldehyde to produce a hard plastic or melamine resin. This synthetic polymer is fire resistant and heat tolerant. It is poured into molds to create plates, cups and bowls of any shape and size. First developed in the 1830s, melamine was not used to make plastics until the 1930s. In the 1950s it became popular for dinnerware. Over years of use, people found that it scratched easily so it became less popular by the 1970s for everyday use.
- The National Toxicology Program reports that melamine dishes leach up to 2.5 milligrams of melamine per 100 square centimeters when exposed to hot acidic food. The FDA has deemed this an acceptable level, but when the dishes are repeatedly exposed to high temperatures, are scratched and used for many years, the levels would likely increase. The dangerous chemicals can transfer to the food you and your children are eating and potentially cause health problems.
- Though it has not yet been proven by the FDA to be dangerous when used in dishes, melamine that was used in animal food and infant formula in China in 2007 and 2008 caused kidney stones, kidney failure, and even death among dogs and cats. Manufacturers used melamine powder as a way to boost protein levels, but they did not understand the ramifications of doing so until it was too late.
- To avoid the potential dangers of melamine dishes, limit your exposure to chemical leaching. Do not put the dishes in the microwave, boil or heat the dishes in any way. This includes putting them in the dishwasher. Instead, hand wash in warm water with mild soap and air dry. Consider not even using melamine dishes and opt for dishes made from a safer material like bamboo, stainless steel or glass.
- With so many recent findings questioning the safety of melamine, one may wonder why even use the dishes. Melamine is often used to make children's dishes, school lunch trays and attractively decorated inexpensive dishes. Melamine is shatter-proof and will not break or crack when dropped. The dishes do not transfer heat, so it is easy to put in the microwave to quickly heat up a plate of food without burning your hands.