Choosing Safer Products: Tableware
| PRODUCT TYPE: |
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| Utensils | Metal utensils or vinyl-free plastic utensils. Examples include:
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Soft bite or safety spoons with soft coverings on the heads. Some soft coverings are made of vinyl, which may contain lead or phthalates. Soft bite spoons that tested free of vinyl include: Gerber Soft Bite Spoons Sassy Color Change Spoons (5-pack) |
| Bowls and Dishes | Bowls and dishes made of polypropylene plastic, which are sometimes marked “#5/PP” on the bottom. Examples include :
Bamboo and wooden dishware, which is harder to find but safe. Examples include:
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Ceramic dishware that is old, imported, or handmade. Also avoid ceramic dishware if the glaze is cracked, chipping, or otherwise deteriorating. While some studies suggest that melamine may cause acute toxicity, further research is needed to determine whether melamine dishware leaches toxic chemicals. |
| Place Mats | Place mats free of vinyl, such as:
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Vinyl place mats, which may contain lead or phthalates. Place mats are not always labeled, but you can ask the manufacturer or choose from the vinyl-free products listed to the left. For a partial list of vinyl place mats, see HealthyToys.org. |
Learn More:
- Safe Start for Kids: Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups, Nipples, and Pacifiers.
- Pollution in People: Less-toxic Kitchenware.
- HealthyToys.org: A searchable database of toys and children’s products, including some tableware.
