Question from Jen M
Looking for info on Anchor Hocking glassware, I wonder if you have any info in their safety level as far as lead, etc. I want to purchase their plain glass dishes and need to find out! Thanks
Debra’s Answer
From all the research I’ve done on the manufacture of glass, I’ve never seen lead used as a standard ingredient in clear glass.
EXCEPT to make lead crystal. Lead crystal is very expensive, labeled that it contains lead, and is not intended for eating or drinking. It would also have a Proposition 65 warning label from the State of California.
It is highly unlikely that any clear glass contains lead. I’ve never seen any tests that show lead in clear glass.
Call them and ask. You can always call manufacturers and ask about their products.
Recently, I noticed that Mikasa no longer seems to make all the glass platters and bowls they did for decades. We used to give them as gifts. I was interested in purchasing some – and see only vintage ones exist. I did write to the company but not sure if they will answer – or even know the answer since they no longer manufacture.
Do you know anything about Mikasa’s vintage glass platters and bowls? Some are called “crystal” but others were not. I will get rid of all of mine if they contain lead. I sadly but gladly gave up all my aluminum cookware that inherited from my family. I will do the same with the beautiful Mikasa ware.
Thanks so much for your input. – Diane
DOn’t know anything about this.
Is Corelle by Corning safe? After reading all this I don’t know. Just got rid of all mugs except glass ones.
I don’t have a list of tested lead-free brands.
Correlle white dishes are safe.
Debra, would you say vintage milk glass tumblers. would possibly have lead in them
Test them.
Also, Debra, I recently bought clear glass dinnerware per your recommendation – plates, bowls, and mugs – I’ve noticed the plates have a slight green tint if you look from the side, but the bowls and mugs do not. They are all labeled as “clear glass.” Have you experienced this with your dinnerware? Any info on the variation in tint on glass in terms of safety?
Also, is clear glass dinnerware preferred over all other dinnerware INCLUDING those made in China? My new set was made in China. Would have preferred to find a set with a different country of origin, but this is what ended up being most cost effective and got me the closest matching pieces. Labeled “no cadmium or lead added” so hope I’m safe even though they are from China.
Thank you so, so much!
All the clear glass I’ve ever purchased has been CLEAR glass.
Yours sound fine to me from your description.
I bought clear glass baking dishes, like ramekins, that are made in China. They have the California Prop 65 warning. Should I use them? Do they have too much lead? Does it leach out? Thanks.
When in doubt, don’t.
The green tint comes from iron impurities and is totally safe. For glass that does not need to be completely optically pure (bottles, food containers, tables, etc.) they don’t need to remove such impurities. You will find that glass for visual applications (glasses, TV screens, scientific instruments, windows) will typically have much more accurate color/transparency. Higher purity glass costs more to make, so they only use it when it’s needed.
Debra (or anyone) – Know anything about the amber colored glass that used to be made by Pyrex/Corning? Was called “Visions.” I know Pyrex is generally safe, but what was added to make it amber colored?
Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Corning-Visions-Visionware-Amber/dp/B004A2OBSQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1485134006&sr=8-2&keywords=pyrex+corning+amber+vision+cookware
I don’t know what was used, but I’ve been using Visions cookware almost every day for more than 30 years and have no reason to believe it’s toxic.
Actually, the vision-ware has a lot of lead and should not be used…
Can you please share the source of your information? Here is an article on lead in glassware. It is based on a study that showed Vision glassware does not leach lead into food. I know some bloggers use XRF equipment to test for lead content. This does not tell you whether or not the lead leaches out of a product and into your food. I am all for avoiding anything containing even traces of lead out of caution because there is no safe level of lead but when it comes to cookware that approach leaves you with a particular challenge. What are you choosing instead?
There is no perfect cookware. Whether it is lead or other heavy metals, PFAS chemicals, nanoparticles, etc., every option has an issue. If you avoid a product like Vision because it could possibly leach even though stringent testing shows it does not, then what will you use in its place? Does that option have issues other than lead that may also be unhealthful? The challenge is finding the options with the least harmful issue. I believe Vision, along with Xtrema, cast iron, and occasional use of stainless steel if you are not nickel sensitive are among the very few better options.
Is swarovski crystal a health hazard since it is made of lead?
This post answers your question well: http://atelierworkroom.blogspot.com/2008/07/risk-of-lead-in-crystal.html
The primary concern for exposure to lead is ingestion and inhalation, and not through the skin, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry.
I bought dishes at Ikea and they always say they are lead and cadium free. At one time Martha Stewart would recommend where to buy dinnerware and would also try to keep her product clean but those days are over…The new fiesta ware is lead free the vintage has lead….hope this helps…
Hi, I’m extremely concerned about a bowl I’ve been eating in for the past month. I’m pregnant & it is a Arcoroc France/USA vintage starburst cut glass bowl I couldn’t really find out if it was considered crystal or glass I’m having trouble with that. Any one know about this ??
TEST IT.
Did you yest one have same set and love it!
P.S. I use cleaned peanut butter/almond butter jars for coffee these days.
Hello,
I would like to share with you my current find for affordable and lead free glass dinnerware. The DOLLAR TREE. I just purchased cut-glass plates, bowls, glasses, water goblets, coffee/tea mugs salt & pepper shakers. I finally have safe, matching and a cabinet full of dinnerware that is very inexpensive and looks great too ! 🙂 I would order through your local store not online just in case you change your mind. The online store will not let you return items. The store will if you are not happy.
Blessings
Great find! Here’s the link: all cut-glass dinnerware at Dollar Tree. Only $1 each!
Did Dollar Tree confirm these are lead-free?
Hello E,
Yes, I spoke to customer service and they told me it was only cut glass. I was still nervous. So, I purchased a 3m lead swab and let the solution sit on the plate, bowl, water goblet and coffee mug overnight even to see if it turned light pink or purplish . These colors will indicate lead as well. No color change at all 🙂 🙂 🙂
Blessings
Good research! 🙂
I just read online that the 3M Lead swabs are not designed to be used on dishes. Only paint and painted items. I am doing more research, but I think this is true.
OK please do more research and send me your reference. I have been using Lead Check swabs on dishes for years, and have gotten both positive and negative results.
I’m so sorry to inform you but that is NOT an assurance that those glass products do not contain lead … those 3M Swabs are designed to test lead paint so if those are just solid glass items it of course is going to test negative because there is no paint for the test to even react with. Furthermore the test reagent is only active for I believe 30 to 90 seconds I don’t remember the exact number but it’s in the package insert you really must read the instructions and the indication for that test you are not using it correctly and falsely feeling secure with your purchase
I’ve bought from there glassware as well! And am really satisfied 🙂
Good finds:)
I’ve emailed Anchor Hocking numerous times and they always say that all their glass products are lead-free and cadmium-free. Same with Libbey brand. The only exception was glass with colours added. I feel totally safe buying their clear glass products, I’ve bought bakeware, dishware and glassware from them.
I appreciate all the commentators’ research and explanations (and blog). I’ve just realized that I have been eating out of melamine udon bowls for years (and daily). 🙁 Your blog, and commentators on here, have given me some insight. I’ve emailed Duralex today to also confirm about their claims, as well as ceramics company Emile Henry. EH’s website says their glazes/wares are cadmium and lead free. Also sent email to confirm.
I want to buy replacements right away, but 1. I’m so picky (kind of), and 2. these companies are expensive.
Ok, so I just called Anchor Hocking and this is what they told me:
1. Only their clear glass is guaranteed 100% cadmium and BPA free, some of their stoneware is not 100% but does abide by the California 65 proposition standard.
2. She could not guarantee that any of their products were 100% lead free and she said that she would question any company that made this claim because there is always the possibility that the raw materials will contain a minuscule amount of lead and others will test higher, however she did say that their testing standards are extremely high (which I question a little bit) and also abide by California’s 65 proposition standard. So NO it is not lead free! By the sounds of it, nothing is!?
3. And this is where it gets a little confusing, they say that they are manufactured in the USA but not all of their items are produced there. Their clear glass bakeware, dinnerware is produced and manufactured in Lancaster, Ohio, whereas some of their stemware is partially produced in Germany and I believe she said their storage food containers are actually imported from China! 🙁 However, she did finish off by saying that 94% of their products are manufactured and produced in Lancaster, Ohio but how can you be certain you are not purchasing one of their pieces from China?
Anyhow, I would still say your best bet is to go with clear glass dinnerware, pot’s, pans….everything and when you get them if you really want to be sure how much lead they are leaching the only way would be to test them with an in home lead test kit. However, I can’t even be too sure how accurate those in home test kits really are.
I think I’m just going to start serving my food on banana leaves….lol!
One of the things to keep in mind is that there is a background level of many pollutants, so even though some of these substances are not added as inredients, they just are in the air and so get into the products. We can’t escape lead or cadmium or many of these substances. What we can do is significantly reduce our exposure by choosing products that contain these substances.
There’s a difference between what goes into the product and what the finished product contains and shows in testing. And that’s due to the background ambinent pollution.
This is why I keep saying that it’s important to detox toxic substances from our bodies as well. Because you just can’t avoid them all. See toxic-free-body.com
I have extreme Multiple chemical Sensitivities, so I’ve spent the last two days doing research on dishes and cookware. Anchor Hocking seemed to be a good choice but I just went to order the 9.5 inch pie plate from anchor hocking at Walmart. At the bottom of the little description page it says warning does not meet CA prop 65 standards. Contains chemicals known to cause cancer and birth defects!! Then gave a lengthy warning on not scratching the surface. I was shocked
So far Libby seems the best. A letter from them in 2007 shows tell what minerals they use in making the glass. It was perfect but that was published ten years ago. Don’t know about now. Non ultra-tempered glass doesn’t need plastic molecules added or a plastic glaze varnished on. I don’t think Libby is tempered or ultra-tempered, but depends on the website I look at.
Duralex seems the best otherwise. Yet it’s tempered glass. Sinncecas far as I can tell it needs a plastic molecule to make it tempered, this concerns me. Usually that type of glass has a glaze spayed onto it. Duralex says it contains no PBA, PVC, or phthalates. However I highly suspect this all means it uses a glaze. Often good companies use “organic non toxic glaze” on glass but it still concerns me.
If I can find this carcinogenic Anchor Hocking glassware for sale right now at Walmart, who can we trust? Help please.
I would trust Anchor Hocking more than I would trust Walmart and Proposition 65 warnings. Often I’ve seen Prop 65 warnings where there was no problem, and I’ve also seen websites have warnings that are incorrectly placed. This whole question about glass warrants more research.
I don’t believe tempered glass has an additive or glaze on it. If you read up on the process, there is both thermal tempering and chemical tempering. Thermal tempering purely has to do with heating the glass and then cooling the inside and outside at different rates. I’m waiting on a reply from Duralex but I just watched a great short video on their website that shows the tempering process and it is simply to do with the heating and cooling process so it seems like their glassware would be a great choice!
I agree! https://www.duralexusa.com/
I had a Duralex plate explode all over the room after I placed a pancake on it.
Debra, I’m glad you mentioned crystal, as that is something I’ve wondered about. Do items like crystal vases pose a risk if we touch them, or is the lead somehow contained in the glass in such a way that it isn’t released onto our skin? Is it safe to have such items?
I’ll give you my best logical answer, since scientific data isn’t always available about toxic exposures yet.
My understanding is that lead is a particle. I know that when it is mixed into plastic and you touch the plastic, your fingers can pick up lead when you touch the cord. Then your body will absorb the lead from your fingers.
My logic says it would be the same for glass. Also we know that when you drink a beverage from a lead crystal glass, that lead leaches into the beverage. So again, that would make it logical that to touch any lead crystal vase or candy dish or anything would result in an exposure to lead through the skin.