These are the bowls I bought for my family last year. I got both the large and small size and I love them – for everything. These are the things I love about them: super practical, high sides, less spilling, good for storing stuff in the fridge, break resistant and yes – LEAD FREE (most important feature!)
The plain white Corelle dishes are NOT ceramic. They are white glass. They are not glazed and do not have any kind of surface finish other than the glass. They are a consistent white glass material throughout.
These are my TOP PICK for Lead-free dishes in my home (in anyone’s home.) Frankly I would buy a dozen more of each piece from this set today if I had the extra money – both to have back ups for when we have company and to fill in the gaps in the kitchen when pieces eventually break (which they do with four boys in the house!)
Here are Amazon affiliate* links to the exact dishes I have in my home and use every day (including this bowl):
- Decorative Serving Bowl – 1 Quart
- Large Bowl – 28 oz
- Small Bowl – 12 oz
Folks have asked me to do a more comprehensive post about the materials in the glass so here that is for all of you. Some people seem to have a hard time believing how non-toxic these actually are (compared to other options!)
Below are the exact test results for two areas of one of these bowls: the inside food surface and the outside area including the logo (which is grayish black in color.) Each set of readings is from a full minute test.
To learn more about XRF testing, Click HERE.
Food Surface XRF Readings (image above):
- Lead (Pb): Negative / Non-Detect
- Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-Detect
- Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-Detect
- Arsenic (As): Negative / Non-Detect
- Barium (Ba): Negative / Non-Detect
- Chromium (Cr): Negative / Non-Detect
- Antimony (Sb): Negative / Non-Detect
- Selenium (Se): Negative / Non-Detect
- Zinc (Zn): Negative / Non-Detect
- Iron (Fe): 369 +/- 76 ppm
- Vanadium (V): 88 +/- 15 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 80 +/- 17 ppm
- Indium (In): 18 +/- 6 ppm
- Cobalt (Co): Negative / Non-Detect
Logo Area XRF Readings (image above):
- Lead (Pb): Negative / Non-Detect
- Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-Detect
- Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-Detect
- Arsenic (As): Negative / Non-Detect
- Barium (Ba): Negative / Non-Detect
- Chromium (Cr): 324 +/- 107 ppm
- Antimony (Sb): Negative / Non-Detect
- Selenium (Se): Negative / Non-Detect
- Zinc (Zn): 339 +/- 41 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 982 +/- 175 ppm
- Vanadium (V): 888 +/- 86 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 6,341 +/- 317 ppm
- Cobalt (Co): 288 +/- 89 ppm
As always, please let me kow if you have any questions.
Thank you for reading and – most important – thank you for sharing my posts.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
Hi Tamara, do you still recommend Corelle dinnerware? I need some affordable dinnerware, 4 pieces of plates (small and large) and 4 bowls and 4 cups for tea and coffee. Or if you recommend anything else maybe from Ikea? Thank you very much
I emailed Corelle yesterday and this is what they said:
All Corelle dinnerware sets are going to be the same. All are made from our Vitrelle glass with the only difference being the design.
We appreciate your concern. Corelle Brands values the safety of its products. You will be comforted to know that we routinely test our (Corelle)® products for harmful lead or cadmium content at certified, internationally-recognized third-party testing laboratories. The tests are conducted using protocols developed by the National Institute for Standards that form the basis for industry standards and regulatory testing mandates for lead or cadmium leachate in tableware, including mugs. (Lead content that is not a leachate poses no health risks). We are unable to share testing data with you as it is proprietary. We wish to assure you, however, that our testing confirms that (Corelle)® products comply with all applicable federal and state safety regulations, including those relating to lead and other heavy metals content, and they are safe to use in a manner consistent with their use and care instructions.
So they really didn’t say what I was hoping to hear. At this point I am not sure what to do. Sad that companies aren’t transparent. It shouldn’t be this difficult to find safe products for our families. I wanted to get Corelle but not sure if it is still safe.
Does the Corelle Vitrelle plain white bowl have aluminum in it? Thanks!
Hi Connie,
I have not tested for the presence of Aluminum. The GUI in Consumer Goods mode on the instrument I use does not read aluminum unfortunately. I can try testing it in Metals mode and let you know what I come up with. Keep an eye on the blog. I will add it to my (very long) “to do list”!
Tamara
Are Corelle dishes with designs also lead free or only the white ones?
Hi Tamara,
Loving everything that you do with regards to raising awareness of the presence of these potent neurotoxins in everything from dental amalgam fillings to the seemingly innocent daily essentials such as cookware and crockery. May I ask whether you tested the new white Corelle plates for aluminium as I hear that this metal will also leach into food/drink from glassware.
Kind regards,
Hi Natasha,
The GUI on “Consumer Goods Mode” does not test for Aluminum, but I will look into that.
T
I have a set of Corelle dishes purchased in the later 90s, country cottage pattern. What are your thoughts about the lead levels with this set?
Also , I am cleaning out my grandmothers home and she has the vintage butterfly gold pattern and my dad still uses the crazy daisy pattern. Should I dispose of them and what would be the best way to do this?
Following this to see aluminum updates
Hi Tamara,
Are there specific corelle ware plates designs and colors one should avoid?
I have heard red and yellow contain cadmium . How about blue, grey black ? Or even Browns . Do any of these contain lead cadmium arsenic etc?
Is it ok if the designs are on the outside? Do these leach only if contact with food or do they release toxic gas when these fishes are placed in microwave and heated?
Is there a hone test for lead one can use on dishes?
I can’t wait to hear the replies on these questions! I’ve been using corning ware / corelle (and pyrex) all my life and I’m in my my mid 50’s. I’d really like to know the results on the different patterns and see which ones are dangerous before getting rid of them. Thanks for all you do Tamara!
Hi
Is there a list of plate and their lead and cadmium content? If lead content is above what’s safe, why is it still being sold on eBay and thrift stores? Thanks for your help!!
L
Why doesn’t Corelle mark these dishes as “Lead Free”? It seems like they should, if it’s really true.
Hi Janine!
I think if they did that they might have concerns that they would then need to go back and publicly admit the high levels of Lead that they used in their older decorated products!
Tamara
Are the Corelle livingware dishes in plain white suggested as well? I bought a few of your recommended Bella embossed but like the size and look of the livingware lunch plates. Thanx!