Melamine is a chemical found in numerous items, including reusable plastic dishware. It’s generally considered safe, but trace amounts can transfer from dishes to food, especially acidic foods like tomatoes. Experts recommend avoiding microwave use with melamine products.
Melamine is a nitrogen-rich compound many manufacturers employ to produce a variety of goods, notably plastic tableware. It’s also used in:
- utensils
- countertops
- various plastic items
- dry-erase boards
- paper products
Although melamine is widespread in consumer goods, some people worry it might be harmful.
This article looks at the debate and factors to consider about melamine in plastic products. Continue reading to determine whether melamine plates belong in your kitchen or at outdoor gatherings.
Is it safe?
The brief answer: yes, it’s safe.
When manufacturers form plasticware containing melamine, they apply high temperatures to bond the materials.
That heat consumes most of the melamine compounds, yet small residues typically remain in plates, cups, utensils, and similar items. If melamine gets excessively hot, it can begin to soften and may leach into food and beverages.
Safety concern
The primary worry is that melamine could migrate from dishware into food, causing inadvertent ingestion.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has performed safety tests on melamine products. These tests measured how much melamine transferred into foods when items were held at high temperatures against foods for prolonged periods.
The FDA found that acidic foods, such as orange juice or tomato-based dishes, generally showed greater melamine migration than nonacidic foods.
Findings
Nevertheless, the quantity of melamine that leaches is considered very small — roughly 250 times lower than the amount the FDA deems toxic.
The FDA has concluded that using plastic tableware, including melamine-containing products, is safe. They set a tolerable daily intake at 0.063 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day.
The FDA advises against microwaving plastic plates that aren’t labeled “microwave-safe.” Microwave-safe items are often made from ceramic materials rather than melamine.
That said, you can heat food on a microwave-safe plate and then transfer it to a melamine plate for serving.
Are there any risks or side effects?
The main concern with melamine is the possibility of melamine poisoning from it leaching into food.
A small 2013 study in JAMA Internal Medicine had 16 healthy volunteers eat hot noodle soup from melamine bowls. Researchers collected urine samples every two hours for 12 hours afterward.
They detected melamine in participants’ urine, with levels peaking between four and six hours after the meal.
While the investigators noted melamine levels can vary by manufacturer, they were nonetheless able to detect melamine after soup consumption.
Pre-meal samples confirmed participants didn’t have melamine in their urine prior to the experiment. The authors cautioned that the potential for long-term harm from melamine exposure “still should be of concern.”
High melamine intake could raise the risk of kidney issues, including stones or kidney failure. An article in the International Journal of Food Contamination suggests that ongoing, low-level exposure may be associated with a higher risk of kidney stones in both children and adults.
Another worry is that the health effects of chronic melamine exposure are not fully understood. Much of the research to date is based on animal studies. Known signs of melamine toxicity can include:
- blood in the urine
- flank pain
- elevated blood pressure
- irritability
- reduced or absent urine output
- urgent need to urinate
If you notice these symptoms, seek medical care promptly.
Other melamine concerns
Different forms of melamine contamination, unrelated to tableware, have made headlines.
In 2008, Chinese authorities reported infants fell ill after melamine was illegally added to milk formula to falsely raise apparent protein levels.
In 2007, pet food sourced from China but distributed in North America contained elevated melamine, tragically causing the deaths of more than 1,000 pets and prompting the recall of over 60 million pet food items.
The FDA does not allow melamine to be used as a food additive or as an ingredient in fertilizers or pesticides.
Pros and cons
Consider the following pros and cons before deciding whether melamine dishware is right for you.
Melamine pros
- dishwasher-safe
- durable
- reusable
- typically less expensive
Melamine cons
- not safe for microwave use
- possible adverse effects from continuous exposure
Alternatives to melamine dishes
If you prefer not to use melamine tableware or utensils, several alternatives exist, such as:
- ceramic dishware
- enamel plates
- glass containers
- molded bamboo dishware (not microwave-safe)
- nonstick metal cookware
- stainless steel dishes (not microwave-safe)
Many manufacturers label these items as melamine-free or plastic-free, which makes them simpler to identify when shopping.
The bottom line
Melamine is a plastic commonly used in reusable plates, cups, and utensils. The FDA has judged melamine-containing tableware to be safe for normal use, but warns against microwaving melamine items.
If you have concerns about exposure from dishware, there are several other material options available.
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