Originally Published: July 8, 2018
Updated: January 12, 2022
2022 UPDATE: The 2021 version of this pattern (sent to me for testing in December of 2021) did test positive for Lead. Click here to see the full test results for the 2021 Crate & Barrel Aspen pattern dishes.
Please note: I have always recommend avoiding all dishware (any products really – given the apparent lack of ethical standards of the brand) from Crate & Barrel. You can read more about that here.
- To see more Crate & Barrel items I have tested, click here
- To learn more about the testing methodology used for the test results reported on this website, click here.
Original Post:
This set of brand new (purchased in February 2018) Crate & Barrel white ceramic dishes (made in Indonesia) were non-detect for lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) when tested with an XRF instrument.
This set readings is true for all components and all sides (inside and out, back and front) including the black back mark/logo.
In previous years of Crate & Barrel dishes the black back mark is often positive for lead even when the rest of the dish is lead-free. Usually you can feel raised lettering on the back marks that are positive for lead, whereas the lettering on the back marks of the dishes pictured here is not raised/cannot be felt as a rough surface with your finger tip and is under the surface glossy glaze.
Here is a post with more choices for #LeadFree dishes.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions!
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
Does buying a colored version increase the likelihood of Crate and Barrel dishes having lead? I believe I have this in light grey
Yes, it does (based on historical testing I have done.) I also have not tested any of the newer colored versions of their products.
Tamara
So is this also a set you would recommend (like the plain white Corelle) or do you think it could vary between batches?
Hi Leah!
I think it should be fine, although yes – I haven’t tested enough of them and they haven’t been lead-free for long enough for me to be excited about them in the way I have been excited about the plain white Corelle. The plain white Corelle has been lead-free for decades! 🙂
– Tamara
Have you ever tested the Pedra dishes from Crate & Barrel for lead?
Hi Cindy,
Sorry – I don’t believe I have. Here’s how to participating in the testing that I do (it’s a collaborative effort with my readers): https://tamararubin.com/2017/07/subscribe-in-support-of-my-advocacy-work-you-can-become-eligible-to-send-in-a-box-of-your-things-for-testing/
Tamara.
What about for the collection before 2018? Mine is from 2011.. it is smooth but can feel the raising where the logo area is. So is it when it’s rough there’s lead there? Thank you.
Hi Tamara!
Has any piece from the Toben dinnerware set at Crate and Barrel been tested?
Hi Tamara, I have older Aspen (Crate & Barrel) plates (circa 2005) made in Sri Lanka. I also have some Aspen bowls made in China. In both cases the back marks are raised. Have you tested these before? Do you know if these are lead free?
is the mercer collection from c&b lead-free?
I was also looking into the Mercer collection. So far, I’m not finding if they have lead.
Can you please show a picture of the front? Aspen is made in a coupe style as well as a rim style
Hello,
Thank you so much for your work and commitment to keep our families educated and safe. I was wondering if you have tested the glass Moderno collection from Crate and Barrel?
Because of your work, I am getting rid of my Apple Francuscan place settings. Sorry, Grandma!
Now I wonder about my Seltzmann Weiden China made in Bavaria with a thin blue line on the edge. Should I use a test kit on these dishes?
Thank you.
Lisa Groening