Pfaltzgraff Made in USA Christmas Dish w/ Holly: 17,400 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe) + 780 ppm Cadmium (a carcinogen)
When tested with an XRF instrument this Pfaltzgraff (Made in USA) Christmas-themed dish (with Holly and Berries) had the following readings (please scroll down to see all of the images of the dish):
When tested with an XRF instrument this Pfaltzgraff (Made in USA) Christmas-themed dish (with Holly and Berries) had the following readings (please scroll down to see all of the images of the dish):Plain white food surface of center of plate:
- Barium (Ba): 243 +/- 107 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 96 +/- 37 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 578 +/- 96 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 1,251 +/- 288 ppm
- Vanadium (V): 122 +/- 34 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 1,035 +/- 96 ppm
- Zirconium (Zr): 28,800 +/- 1,100 ppm
- Platinum (Pt): 267 +/- 83 ppm
With scope focused on red berries on food surface of plate:
- Lead (Pb): 12,400 +/- 400 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): 780 +/- 55 ppm
- Selenium (Se): 227 +/- 43 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 1,330 +/- 111 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 357 +/- 78 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 1,010 +/- 250 ppm
- Vanadium (V): 129 +/- 36 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 806 +/- 86 ppm
- Zirconium (Zr): 24,300 +/- 1,000 ppm
- Platinum (Pt): 379 +/- 131 ppm
With scope focused on green holly leaves on food surface of plate:
- Lead (Pb): 17,400 +/- 500 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): 226 +/- 25 ppm
- Chromium (Cr): 1,289 +/- 119 ppm
- Tin (Sn): 164 +/- 33 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 1,482 +/- 114 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 358 +/- 74 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 730 +/- 220 ppm
- Vanadium (V): 131 +/- 35 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 502 +/- 69 ppm
- Zirconium (Zr): 20,400 +/- 800 ppm
- Platinum (Pt): 470 +/- 141 ppm
- Cobalt (Co): 676 +/- 148 ppm
With scope focused on black painted logo area on back of plate:
- Lead (Pb): 6,312 +/- 222 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): 96 +/- 18 ppm
- Barium (Ba): 316 +/- 101 ppm
- Chromium (Cr): 525 +/- 180 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 580 +/- 72 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 361 +/- 77 ppm
- Nickel (Ni): 277 +/- 116 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 1,855 +/- 303 ppm
- Vanadium (V): 3,392 +/- 202 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 1,031 +/- 105 ppm
- Zirconium (Zr): 25,300 +/- 1,000 ppm
- Platinum (Pt): 317 +/- 106 ppm
- Cobalt (Co): 474 +/- 148 ppm
Each test was done using a freshly calibrated XRF instrument in “consumer goods” mode. Testing was repeated on each component to confirm the results. Testing time for each component was for at least 60 seconds. Results are replicable, science-based and accurate. Metals not listed in the above-reported test results set were not detected by the XRF when testing in consumer goods mode.
To see more dishes I have tested, click here.
To see more Pfaltzgraff pieces I have tested, click here.
To see the dishes I use in my home with my family – please click here.
Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
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Pfatlzgraff dishes made in the USA I considered safe. This pattern is called “Winterberry”. More recent dishes of this pattern are made overseas. I wonder how they fair? I’ve had these dishes about 25 years but thankfully only eat on them twice a year. Now everything I have is suspect with a Christmas or holiday decor. I have Lennox Christmas dish as well. How can the manufacturer do this? This pattern is still popular and being sold at national retailers.
Hi Mary – the newly manufactured versions of these patterns are likely Lead-free. As you start going back 5 or 10 years they seem to have higher and higher lead-levels. I would (as a general rule) definitely avoid any dishes that are 10 years old or older unless I had them tested and knew for certain they were Lead-free.
Thank you for commenting.
Tamara
Thank you for you quick reply. I have been so informed by all your work. My Tupperware measuring cups as shown on your site are now gone.
🙂
You are very welcome!
I have these dishes, but they’re made in Indonesia and probably 5-7 years old. My sister gave me more from when she was married, I don’t have their info handy, but that set is probably 12 years old. They’re still in boxes as I’ve never had enough people to use both sets. Think those are ok? Thanks!
Hi, I have those same dishes but mine our the Made in the USA. I haven’t used them in recent years. When in use it was probably once or twice a year. My children were younger then so my concern is there. Can harm be passed down to the next generation? I am so disappointed this was allowed to be produced with so much lead. I felt something made in the USA could be trusted. I avoided all hand me down china/crystal from my mother WWII vintage when my daughter was very young. I used a commercial home swab and these were immediately positive. Thankfully, my mother had so few dishes because of the war she only used them as decorative. My Winterberry pattern is now just decorative. I’m thankful I found LSM even though I’m a grandma now. I continue to be vigilant in my purchases and warn my grown children.
Just a footnote to the testing. This was nearly 40 years ago. I was aware of lead in vintage dishes and had concerns back in the early 80’s. Lead check was the only thing out there to use. Thanks Tamara for your continued efforts to inform the public.
I have the Pfaltzgraff Heritage White dishes. Do the all-white Pfaltzgraff dishes contain far less lead, etc. than the ones with designs on them? Thank you.
Have you looked through the examples from that brand – that will give you a better idea – read this for context:
https://tamararubin.com/2022/05/why-i-do-the-consumer-goods-testing-i-do-why-you-cannot-do-this-at-home/
Here’s the link to the category for that brand:
https://tamararubin.com/category/pfaltzgraff/