Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably used melamine dinnerware before. It’s affordable, lightweight, durable, and comes in nearly every color and shape imaginable. Since its 1950s debut, this material has been a staple in homes worldwide.
However, when melamine dishware first appeared, microwaves weren’t widely available. Even in 1971, only 1% of U.S. households had one!
So melamine was never intended for microwave use, raising the question: Is it safe in the microwave?
Despite this appliance’s popularity, melamine dishware should stay out of it.
This guide explains what melamine is, why it doesn’t belong in the microwave, and how to use it safely. Let’s dive in!
What Is Melamine?
Melamine is a chemical compound often used to produce kitchenware, particularly dinnerware. It’s also used as a binder in bamboo plates and cutting boards. Beyond the kitchen, you can find melamine in paper products and industrial coatings.
When combined with formaldehyde, it becomes melamine resin. Manufacturers then heat and shape this resin into various dishware.
Melamine dinnerware is popular due to its durability, heat resistance, and dishwasher safety. It’s lighter than ceramic, yet designers can make it look just as elegant.
Is Melamine Safe?
Melamine can pose health risks in high doses, but it’s not considered acutely toxic. The FDA set a safe limit of 2500 parts per billion, with lower levels generally safe.
But, higher levels can potentially cause melamine poisoning. Symptoms include renal toxicity and kidney stones, to name a couple.
Despite these risks, melamine dishware is safe at room temperature. Heat is the issue. For example, the FDA found that cold orange juice left in a melamine cup for 15 minutes contained only 10 parts per billion of melamine. This is 250 times below the unsafe limit.
However, melamine becomes unsafe at higher temperatures. Foods heated in melamine dishware to 160℉+ (like in a microwave) may leach melamine into your food at higher levels.
The leaching risk increases with long-term use and acidic foods like tomato sauce. One study found that participants eating hot soup from melamine bowls (compared to ceramic) had higher melamine levels in their urine.
Now, the study didn’t examine specific health outcomes. But the authors suggested that long-term melamine exposure from dishware is likely a health concern.
Can Melamine Go in Microwaves? The Verdict
Long story short: You should never put melamine in microwaves.
Melamine can leach from the dishware into food at high temperatures. Heating acidic foods in these dishes further heightens the risk of ingesting unsafe melamine levels. So, it’s safest to avoid heating melamine entirely.
Only use kitchenware labeled “microwave-safe” in the microwave.
What Happens To Melamine Plates in the Microwave?
Besides the potential health risk, microwaving melamine can damage the dishes themselves.
At high temperatures, melamine dries out, causing dinnerware to break down or even crack. This breakdown also increases the likelihood of harmful chemicals leaching into your food.
Final Thoughts: Using Melamine Safely
Despite the above facts, don’t go throwing out all your melamine plates, bowls, and cups! So long as you use your melamine dinnerware properly, there’s no risk to your health.
Here’s how to safely use your melamine dinnerware:
- Never put an item in the microwave that doesn’t have a “microwave-safe” label.
- Avoid broken or damaged melamine dinnerware. It can leach chemicals into your food.
- Do not heat or cook foods in melamine dishware. This includes the microwave or oven.
- Don’t use melamine to hold deep-fried foods, hot oil, or store highly acidic foods.
- When cleaning your melamine tableware, avoid abrasives that might scratch the surface.
P.S. If you follow the above restrictions, melamine dinnerware is safe. But you can always use alternatives like glass or ceramic to stay on the extra safe side!
And where can you find the cleanest, safest glass and ceramic dinnerware? Find out in our Guide to the Safest Dinnerware Materials & Brands!
Hi there! I'm Adam, author and founder of TGL. Since 2016, I've produced and sold non-toxic kitchenware throughout the US. Today, I'm using my passion and experience in sustainable product manufacturing to help families avoid unsafe reusable foodware. When I'm not writing, you'll find me hiking or camping throughout Appalachia!
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