Is Melamine Safe to Use? Advantages & Disadvantages

• It is produced from white, opaque plastic with a bright pattern, easily erased by any sharp object.
• You can hear a dull sound with light blows with a wooden stick.
• Each item is lightweight.
• Melamine tableware has earned popular love for its durability, despite warnings about health hazards.
• The reverse side of each product must be stamped “Melamine.”

Is Melamine Harmful to health? Is Melamine Safe to Use?

If the dishes are from a dubious manufacturer and do not have a quality certificate, then you need to consider the lack of benefit to human health.

The violation of the technological process negatively affects the release of toxins when melamine is heated.

As a result, formaldehyde resins emitted throughout the entire period of use of such dishes do not dissolve in water and enter the body along with food intake.

And also, paints for painting that is not covered with protective enamel cause great harm.

 Scientists have conducted many experiments proving the danger of melamine when heated or in contact with food acids. 

For example, table vinegar, poured into a melamine glass and left for a day, exceeded the norm of formaldehyde by several tens of times.

When using dishes of dubious quality, this mutagenic poison tends to accumulate in the body and cause various diseases.

Types of Melamine Tableware

Melamine products are divided into types and are intended for:

• For Eating– Food use plates for first and second courses and desserts and snacks.
• For Drinks – We use melamine mugs and cups. The volume is from 140 – 325 ml. Melamine tea service is not uncommon. It can be purchased separately or in a set with dinnerware.
• For Storage – Food containers are often used, which have a tight lid and are convenient for compact storage.
• For Servings – There is a wide selection of salad bowls, dishes, and trays of various shapes from oval to rectangular, which, with their design, will harmoniously fit the style of many dinner sets.
• For Children – The children’s line is diverse in design. You can purchase individual items of dishes, as well as whole sets, including a cup, dinner, and dessert plates.
• For Cutlery – Cutlery and kitchen utensils in the form of spoons, forks, tongs, and spatulas are not recommended for eating hot food.
• Others – Design a line of melamine tableware in the form of sushi sets, as well as for children’s parties, daily use, and theme parties.

• It is cheaper than traditional porcelain, glass, or ceramic tableware. It lasts much longer without being damaged or deteriorating. If it falls to the ground, it will not break.
• It is much lighter;  a very welcome quality for waiters and waitresses in catering services.
• It is safer when washed by hand because, since it does not break, it will not cause injuries.
• The designs are attractive and varied.
• They are products that resist temperatures ranging from -30 ºC to 70 ºC.
• They take up less storage space than conventional crockery.

• The FDA warns against the use of this tableware in the microwave. This is because the high temperatures could lead to spillage of the food. In such a case, there would be contamination and possible intoxication.
• In this sense, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that melamine could leach into food. The participants of this investigation ate soup served on plates of the material, and, when analyzing their urine for 12 hours, they detected traces.
• If melamine levels are high, kidney problems such as kidney failure and kidney stones can be generated. Symptoms of melamine poisoning include blood in the urine, high blood pressure, and irritability.

• Wall and floor coverings (laminate);
• Adhesives and paints and varnishes;
• Plastics.

The dishes are made from melamine-formaldehyde resin (class A5).

 Studies confirm the low toxicity of melamine by experts from the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.  

The amount and inactivity of formaldehyde in dishes

The formaldehyde content in melamine plates and dishes is no more than in polyethylene (LDPE, HDPE). Polyethylene and melamiformaldehyde resin have a 2nd hazard class; the maximum permissible concentration of formaldehyde, taking into account its summation, is 0.003 mg/m3; admissible amounts of migration (DKM) of formaldehyde – 0.100 mg/l.

In addition, formaldehyde is present in:

• Canned food (additive E240);
• Disinfectants;
• Toothpaste, shampoos and soaps;
• and many other tools that we actively use in everyday life.

Recommendations for using melamine tableware

Assessing melamine tableware’s danger means evaluating the likelihood of the transfer of harmful compounds to products.

After a series of studies, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that such dishes are safe. Under certain conditions (temperature above 70°C, acid, hot oil), the migration of harmful substances may increase. Still, even considering this, the amount of melamine and formaldehyde released will be 250 times less than the maximum allowable.

General FDA guidelines for using melamine tableware:

• Do not heat food in it in the microwave or oven;
• Do not wash with water above 70°C.

Reason 4. Dishwasher safe

The dishwasher significantly increases the speed of work processes in the establishment. You can wash melamine dishes in the dishwasher, just like ceramics or porcelain. The main thing is to observe the temperature regime, not higher than 70° C.

 The smooth surface of melamine plates can be easily washed, even by hand. 

Reason 5. Not prone to stubborn stains

The smooth surface of melamine plates can be easily washed, even by hand. It is recommended not to use abrasive products or metal sponges, which can damage the dishes.

Reason 6: Melamine cookware dries faster

Melamine plates dry quickly in natural conditions. It is an additional time-saver.

Reason 7. Plates and containers are easy to stack

Melamine tableware has a comfortable surface shape. It makes it easy to stack. It saves space and speeds up workflows.

Reason 8. Melamine dinnerware is 3 times lighter than porcelain

For employees of establishments with high traffic, this is a significant advantage. When your employees need to carry stacks of dishes, it’s better to let them be light.

Reason 9. Suitable for hot and cold dishes

Plus melamine tableware – heat resistance. The plates themselves do not heat up when serving hot dishes, while the food does not cool down longer.

Melamine plates for organizing receptions in the summer are simply irreplaceable. For cold dishes, this property is essential in hot weather. Therefore, melamine plates for organizing receptions in the summer are indispensable. In them, the products stay chilled longer.

Reason 10. A good solution for water parks and pool bars

Do not use breakable dishes near swimming pools and water parks. If you choose between cardboard or plastic dishes, melamine dishes or budget plastic options, then the most aesthetic will be melamine dishes. The rest of the options look too budget and unpretentious.

Reason 11. Imitation porcelain

Of course, aesthetics and attractive design are differences between melamine tableware. High-quality imitations of porcelain and ceramics are created from it, and various shapes and shades are reproduced.

Reason 12. A wide range of melamine tableware

You can choose melamine tableware or dinnerware for any needs and purposes:

• Plates of different shapes and sizes;
• Salad bowls;
• Dishes for display in supermarkets;
• Frying pans for serving dishes;
• Saucepans;
• Containers for spices;
• Trays;
• Ashtrays.

Conclusions

Melamine dinnerware is a worthy alternative to glass cookware, ceramic and porcelain because it:

• Attractive to visitors;
• Economical for owners due to the extremely long period of use;
• Convenient for bartenders, waiters and kitchen workers.