Introduction (for those new to this website):
Tamara Rubin is a multiple-Federal-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF testing (a scientific method used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) to test consumer goods for toxicants (specifically heavy metals — including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Antimony, and Arsenic). All test results reported on this website are science-based, accurate, and replicable. Items are tested multiple times to confirm the test results for each component tested. Tamara’s work was featured in Consumer Reports Magazine in February of 2023 (March 2023 print edition).
Published: July 21, 2018
Question: Are Blue Willow Dishes Lead Free?
Answer: No. In fact most of them have incredibly high levels of lead (in a range that I would consider as not safe to eat off of.) Please read on for more information about lead found in examples of Blue Willow dishes.
We have several Blue Willow articles up on the Lead Safe Mama website right now, however this particular post highlights the XRF test results for a Johnson Brothers Blue Willow Plate, c. 1980s Made In England. The years on the backmark (image below) include both “Since 1883” and 1940.
This dish (see a larger image below) tested positive at the following levels when tested with an XRF instrument:
- Lead (Pb): 36,600 +/- 1,400 ppm
- Mercury (Hg): 83 +/- 53 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): ND (non-detect/negative)
- Arsenic (As): ND (non-detect/negative)
- Barium (Ba): 465 +/- 90 ppm
To learn more about XRF testing, click here.
For context, the amount of lead that is considered toxic in a newly manufactured item intended for use by children (including dishes intended to be used by children) is anything 90 ppm or higher in the glaze or anything 100 ppm or higher in the substrate (the underlying clay or porcelain). Dishware made before 2010 is not generally regulated for total lead content as detectable with an XRF. Most vintage china is high lead as a result and may not be safe to eat off of. Even newer china that is not “made specifically to be used by children” may test positive for high levels of lead when tested with an XRF instrument.
Since the backmark of this dish also says “making fine tableware for over 100 years” (with the start date of the company being 1883) we can at least assume these were likely manufactured in 1984 or later (which is also consistent with the “Dishwasher, Freezer and Microwave Safe” statement also printed on the back.)
[Note: I have seen very high levels of lead (also 36,000+ ppm) in fine china made in England as recently as 2007.]
Unfortunately, Blue Willow plates are an incredibly popular and collectable pattern.
Please note that nearly ALL of the Willow pattern and nearly ALL of the Johnson Bros. china that I have ever tested have been very high lead. I even tested some in the past year that the owner told me she had purchased fairly recently at Ross (and similar outlet stores). These were also very high lead.
While I cannot be sure if these are leaching at all, with levels this crazy-high, I would never use these in my home [and in the event that someone served me food on them while I was visiting, I would politely request an alternate plate or dish (sans incredibly-high levels of neurotoxic heavy metals)!]
Additional Reading That May Be Of Interest
- Please read more about the concern for lead in pottery here.
- To see more “Johnson Bros.” pieces we have tested and reported on, click here.
- To see all of the Willow pieces we have tested and reported on, click here.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them personally as soon as I have a moment.
As an independent advocate for childhood lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety public support of this work is crucial for me to continue doing what I do. Please click here to see all the different ways you can help.
Tamara Rubin
Owner – Lead Safe Mama, LLC
#LeadSafeMama
My Blue Willow says Churchill Made in England and the set came in pieces you get at Krogers. Do you know if they contain lead?
What year were they made?
I have the same Churchill pieces from Ralphs aka Kroger. I got all of them throughout the 1990s and 2000s directly from the store or Vermont Country Store. I would like to know if they have lead. This poster never gave you the date she purchased them so I hope this info helps and you can let me know.
I have blue willow china that says Flair Japan Blue Willow 603 on the bottom. Have you tested any of these?
Have you found lead in blue willow churchill made in stafature England
Hi Scott,
Thank you for commenting. Yes – most Staffordshire England china I have tested has been high in Lead. Here is a link to that category of items on my site: https://tamararubin.com/category/staffordshire/
Tamara
Hello, would you be able to tell me if you if have tested the dishes by Churchill made in England Royal Sussex- Tonquin blue. I just purchased many plates and bowls from T J Max and am wondering if I should return them.
Hi Lisa,
Here’s a Churchill piece – I would imagine others from the same brand would be similar:
https://tamararubin.com/2019/05/johnson-brothers-wedgwood-group-willow-earthenware-bowl-57100-1600-ppm-lead-context-more-than-90-ppm-is-unsafe-in-items-made-for-kids/
Tamara
What great information on lead in old Johnson Brothers china. I recently purchased a set of Johnson Brothers ‘Olde English Countryside’; I’m wondering if they fall into the same category as Blue Willow? I would love to use them on special occasions but if they do have lead, I guess I can just look at the lovely china plate.
Thanks
I have some blue willow pieces that simply say, Japan, on the back? After reading this article, I will assume those have lead as well, and stop eating off of them!
I have a set of blue willow dishes that say made in England by Ridgeways Engraved in 1832 since 1792.
Are they safe to use?
Yikes – no. I would not use those. The only Blue Willow that I have tested that is negative was a new one made in the last year or two.
Tamara
Just how dangerous are leaded plates. I have 2 sets of Blue Willow dishes that belonged to both grandparents. They ate off of them every day. I have them now. But, I have never eaten out of them. What can I do with them if I can’t eat out of them? It’s a waste to just let them sit in a cabinet and not be used. And I can’t throw them out. Did I mention they belonged to my grandparents? HELP!!
You say your grandparents ate off of these plates every day. Did they die prematurely from some illness associated with lead poisoning? If not then it’s probably fair to say that it’s safe to eat off of them.
How is The Vermont Country Store able to sell Churchill Willow Pattern if they contain led? Isn’t that illegal?
Not even a tiny bit illegal unfortunately. That’s the premise of my work in a lot of ways. All of this stuff SHOULD be illegal but is not!
T
Hi Tamara, I’m wondering if the Royal Cuthbertson Blue Willow dishes have Lead and other contaminants in them? I’ve eaten off them in the past. And have them stored to pass on to family members. I don’t want to pass down harmful dishes that might cause health problems. Thank you for your assistance.
Who makes Blue Willow dishes now? I am having trouble finding a website for Blue Willow dishes manufacturer. Who makes them now? Are ones made in the last year or so lead free and safe to eat off of or are all Blue Willow dishes unsafe to eat off of? Thank you.
Are new blue willow pottery dishes safe that are made in China safe for eating, I just purchased set of 4 .
Thank you
Hi, Can you tell me if the Reed and Barton ironstone Childrens dinnerware set has lead in it?
It is the Williamsburg Farmyard Friends set. Thank you
HI,
Ive bought a set off the Johnson Brothers Devon Cottage ware last year do know if there is any lead in them?
Thank you,
Hi Renee,
Johnson Brothers is consistently high Lead. Here’s the link to my “Johnson’s Brothers” category and you can scroll through all of the posts to see if yours is similar to any of the ones I have tested.
https://tamararubin.com/category/johnson-brothers/
Tamara
Hi have you ever tested Johnson brothers heritage hall 4411 pieces? They were produced between 1969 and 1985. I’m guessing they probably have lead like other Johnson Brothers pieces you’ve tested, but just wondering if you knew about the specific collection. I have a 12 place setting collection passed on to me from my Grandmother. Are they even safe to keep on display in my hutch?
Hello, I’m looking at purchasing a set of Ridgeway Ironstone dishes, established 1792 in Straffordshire England. Not for everyday use but special occasions. However, would this set contain lead? Thank you.
I acquired my mom’s Johnson Brothers Regency Snow White. Since these are all white, are they lead safe? I cannot find lead information on this pattern. Thanks, Steve
No – Most Johnson Brothers is very high Lead. The idea that white china is Lead-free is a myth.
Here’s one new example posted today: https://tamararubin.com/2020/11/1983-shafford-original-dual-shell-serving-dish-57200-ppm-lead-90-ppm-up-is-unsafe-in-items-intended-for-use-by-kids/
Here’s another example too: https://tamararubin.com/2017/11/homer-laughlin-white-ceramic-plate-75032-ppm-lead/
Tamara
Hi! I have a whole set of Churchill made in England blue and white dishes. Have these been tested already (?) thanks!!
I purchased several pieces of Royal Wessex Blue Willow. Mark on all pieces says, “Royal Wessex, Made in England” Nothing about being microwave safe or dishwasher safe. Am I to assume all Royal Wessex pieces contain lead, and how would a person check for lead. Thank you.A
I also have Royal Wessex Blue Willow dishes. They are marked microwave and dishwasher safe. Have you tested these? Thank you for what you do, Tamara!
Hello, I have some very small plates close to saucer size that are INDIES pattern Johnson Brothers they’re blue and white. Have you tested these? I’m guessing they’re likely toxic for lead like the others you’ve talked about. Is it safe to even have these for display in my home or best time dispose of them and then hown to dispose of these in the safest way for everyone including the environment? Thanks very much, Cindy
Many ceramic glazes contain lead. All ceramics that could be used with food are tested for their leaching potential. Almost all dishware sold in the United States since 1970 has passed this lead leaching safety test.if they don’t, they have to be labeled ‘not safe for use with food’. Or they are recalled, as Williams Sonoma has had happen once or twice. These regulations have been tightened twice since 1970. Unless the dishes you are eating off of are highly damaged, worrying about lead from dishware is extreme. And certainly having a decorative plate in your house poses no danger. Lead in a glaze is inert. Just like asbestos in a vinyl floor tile. Totally harmless until you start sanding it or breaking it up. I was a state certified lead inspector for over 20 years.
Hi Meredith,
There is almost no post-manufacture testing by government agencies. There is also no testing to confirm the integrity of any particular dishware after years of daily use as intended. I have worked with several families who have had family members acutely and chronically poisoned by their dishware. Not all dishes present a lead concern, but parents have the right to be informed. Most parents would NOT choose dishes with Lead if they had the information in advance of purchasing or otherwise acquiring those dishes. Please read this post to better understand the concern:
https://tamararubin.com/topics/does-vintage-and-new-functional-pottery-and-dishware-have-unsafe-levels-of-lead/
Tamara
Since Lead-free dishes are plentiful and inexpensive, parents need this information so they can make informed choices to protect their family in the case of any eventuality. If one child is at risk, that is too many children. Have you seen my film Meredith? Here’s the link: https://tamararubin.com/2021/01/my-film-passed-300000-views-on-youtube-today-heres-the-link-to-watch-it-if-you-have-not-yet/
Tamara
I have the blue danube plates and cups ,it only has blue danube japan on back, my parents brought the whole set 20 years ago…..are they lead free. thank you
did you ever find out if your blue Danube plates are safe? thanks
Hi Tamara,
I am currently using Burleigh pottery -Blue Calico Teacup and a dark blue small Felicity Teapot. Would like to ask you if you had a chance to test Burleigh pottery products and if yes-are they safe? Thank you so very much for this wonderful blog!
Thank you for your kind words! I don’t believe I have tested that brand – sorry about that. Here’s how to send something in for testing and reporting on the website if that is of interest: https://tamararubin.com/2019/08/tamara-can-i-send-you-one-of-my-dishes-to-test-for-lead/
Tamara
Tamera, could you please comment on some current brands featuring the Blue Willow pattern that are safe to use for food. I’m sure you have many followers that would like to know. Thank you!
I would love to see an answer as well. Blue Willow is one of my favourite patterns
Hello! Can you recommend a safe set of dishes? I am downsizing and redoing and plan to purchase new dishes, or at least new to me. Thank you!
Susan
Apilco dishes. They are made in France and can be found at Willisms Sonoma.
https://tamararubin.com/2020/03/apilco-white-porcelain-plate-made-in-france-90-ppm-lead-safe-by-all-standards/
This video shows how to search the site: https://tamararubin.com/2022/05/how-to-use-the-lead-safe-mama-website-video/
I’ve used my great grandmother’s blue willow dishes made in the 40s/50s for over 19 years. They died in their 80s after diabetes and strokes. Have you tested any blue willow that old? Should I stop using?
Sweet potato pie and hush my mouth! My family has been eating off Blue Willow china ware from the turn of the 20th century. All lived into their nineties; my mother’s sisters made 98, 99 and 100, respectively. Still, it is a cause of concern with me as we use it on a daily basis. Is there a lead-free Blue Willow manufacture?
A modern version of the pattern should be lead-free… made in the past 5 years. See what Lenox has. Calamity ware has a fun modern version but it is lead-safe, not lead-free.
I have willow ware royal china and it has the number 54 on it. I am assuming this has a high lead content.???
Hi. Do you know anything about Wedgewood Patrician? I have had this for years and want to know if might have lead in it. The 3M home kits are no longer available on line or in stores so I have no way of checking it. Have you done a check on it? Thanks
Hello Tamara, thank you so much for all your hard work. A question for you, with our family growing and the knowledge we gained since following you we are looking for a new dinner set. Do you know if the anchor glass plates are safe? Anchor Hocking 10-Inch Presence Dinner Plate, Set of 12,Clear https://a.co/d/68WeK6X
Do they royal wessex (calico print) that are made now and sold in store have lead? I can’t find a company website