#AskTamara
Questions:
Does Vintage Fiestaware Have Lead?
Does New Fiestaware Have Lead?
Answers: Definitely yes & sometimes yes!
Below is a vintage teal colored Fiestaware custard cup. When tested with an XRF instrument it was positive for lead (Pb) at 73,500 ppm (seventy three thousand five hundred parts per million.) The only relevant modern standard that you can compare this to (for context) is the allowable amount of lead in products made for use by children.
In modern children’s products they are considered unsafe for use by children if the lead in the glaze or coating exceeds 90 ppm (ninety parts per million), or if the lead in the substrate of the item (which would be the base clay in an item like this) exceeds 100 ppm (one hundred parts per million).
73,500 far exceeds 90 ppm, however vintage dishware is not regulated for total lead content as detectable with an XRF instrument.
To see more Fiesta pieces I have tested, click here.
While the vintage Fiesta pieces are consistently very high lead, newer #Fiestaware items (including the ones that are marked “lead free” on the bottom) have either no lead (specifically: they test negative for lead when tested with an XRF instrument) or test positive for just trace lead (usually below 100 ppm) when tested with an XRF instrument. The new pieces have also tested positive for traces of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As). These levels of toxicants in the pieces vary depending on the color of the piece.
Newer Orange Fiesta Bowl, 227 ppm Cadmium (Cd).
Newer Purple Fiesta Bowl, 67 ppm Cadmium (Cd)
23 +/- 12 ppm Lead (Pb), 61 +/- 9 ppm Cadmium (Cd)
While new Fiesta pieces are relatively safe as a choice for functional pottery/dishware, it is my recommendation that the vintage Fiesta pieces never be used as functional dishware.
Please note: I have only confirmed lead-free dishware in my home and would not choose to use new Fiesta pieces in my home personally, but if you had them in your home and served me a meal on them I would be comfortable eating off of them.
To learn more about XRF testing, click here.
For safer choices in dishware options, click here.
Thank you for reading. As always, please let me know if you have any questions!
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
Hi, I’m new to your site and FB page. What is considered “vintage” fiestaware (i.e. how old)? I have the Rose colored Fiestaware that my famiy has used for 15 years. Is that the kind that has lots of lead?
Thank you
I don’t think I have tested any that were in that period. Is it marked “Lead Free” on the bottom? If not then it likely has lead.
Hi Tamara. I have 2 different sets of johnsons brothers dishes. The more recent RoseChintz
And the old and newer Friendly Village.
I’m sure they have lead but if I don’t microwave will they leach lead ?
What would you advise ? Only use occasionally or not at all?
Thank you for your time
Hi Sandy,
I personally would never use any Johnson Brothers dishes. The levels are just too high and it is not worth the risk. Here is the Johnson Brothers category on my site: https://tamararubin.com/category/johnson-bros/
Here’s a background piece I wrote about the concern for Lead in pottery and dishware: https://tamararubin.com/topics/does-vintage-and-new-functional-pottery-and-dishware-have-unsafe-levels-of-lead/
After you take a look at those links, let me know if you have any more questions.
Tamara
Hello, I have a set of Churchill Fine English Tableware made in Staffordshire, England, purchased at T.J. Maxx They have a white scalloped edging with a blue flower and leaves-print spaced throughout. Are these safe to use for dining?
Hi Tamara,
I have a vintage light blue teapot, sugar bowl and creamer by Homer Laughlin. Model name on the bottom says Jubilee. I assume since these were sold around 1948 that they probably have a high lead content. Have you tested any Jubilee dishes?
Thanks,
Monica
Hi Monica!
I will look that up and see if it is something similar to a color and design I have tested.
Tamara
Hi Tamara,
I am wondering if you’ve ever tested the Homer Laughlin grape vine print China. I can’t find whether there is lead or not. The print says USA under it with the letters and numbers EEC-90..
Hi,
I inherited a set of Noritake Windsor 5924 China. It was produced from 1958 – 1965. It is beautiful, but I suspect from the age, it has lead. No sentimental value to me, so if I need to toss, I will. My daughter has neurological issues (not related to lead.. but I don’t want to pile on).
Thoughts?
Hi Tamara!
Does the new Fiesta ware in turquoise have lead in it? Thank you I love what you do
Hi Amel,
The brand new pieces from Fiesta are either Lead-free or Lead-safe (below 90 ppm Lead) in my experience – in all colors. Some of these actually have “Lead Free” printed on the bottom although I have noticed some of the brand new newer ones do not have that marking (perhaps in response to my findings of trace levels of Lead in some of the colors.) Here’s an example of a Lead-safe one: https://tamararubin.com/2018/06/leadsafe-homer-laughlin-china-fiestaware-christmas-tree-mug-made-in-usa/
Tamara
Hi, I wondered if there’s a production year when Fiestaware became more lead-free than not? Not sure what’s considered vintage vs newer~ Was looking at this pic that lists to the years when colors came out:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/dc/25/ae/dc25ae377c9a38e37ff9dad55eaddced.png
Also googled and saw that it was possibly pieces post 1986 that would have less lead, but I’m wondering if your experience with testing would back up that idea. And thank you so much for testing items, and for your help!!
According to their own website, the manufacturing change occured in 1992: https://fiestafactorydirect.com/pages/faq-dinnerware#:~:text=Yes.,lead%2Dfree%22%20since%201986.
To be more precise, they do mention the 1986 date that you also mention, but it seems that this change was not universal until 1992. Perhaps FiestaWare for use at home has been “lead-free” since 1986, but they did not remove it from food service dishware until 1992? That’s what I take from a quick reading of their response.
Hi Tamara,
I have medium-size Fiestaware bowls that do not say lead-free, but according to this listing: https://fiestafactorydirect.com/pages/fiesta-fact-sheet
the colors that I have – lapis, turquoise, periwinkle, sea mist, and heather – were all introduced between 1986 and 2006. Can I assume, then, that these bowls are lead-free or, at least, lead-safe? Thank you!!!