Add Denby to the list of companies making false statements (in writing!) about the historic use of Lead in their products
March 19, 2023 — Sunday
If you are a fan, friend, or follower of the work of Lead Safe Mama, LLC you may have noticed our post earlier tonight when I shared full XRF test results for the “Denby Fine Stoneware” dish pictured above.
Several readers have asked about Denby products. Prior to this evening, I had not yet done any write-ups of products from this company here on the site, so I did not have a definitive answer as to whether or not they had Lead in their glazes (and if they did have Lead — how much).
Tonight we answered that question — with the dish above testing positive for Lead at levels as high as 10,800 ppm (10,800 parts per million is a LOT of Lead)! For context, and for those new here …
- There is no safe level of Lead exposure for humans
- Any products with Lead levels (in the paint, glaze, or coating) above 90 ppm that are manufactured today for use by children are considered illegal.
Here’s a link to tonight’s article with full test results for the dish pictured above.
As I was preparing the package to send the dish pictured above back to its owner, I reviewed our e-mail communication thread. I was then reminded that, in August 2022, she e-mailed me to share the statement (in the graphic below) she received from Denby when inquiring as to whether they use (or have ever used) Lead or any other toxic metals in their glazes. Continue reading below the image:
We now have clear and indisputable scientific confirmation that not only is Lead present in their glazes, but the Lead that is present is at a very high level — meaning it was obviously intentionally added as an ingredient of the glaze. Low levels, for example, could have meant that the Lead present might have been an inadvertent contaminant of a product or process. Now we know that Denby as a company is at best, grossly unaware and profoundly misinformed regarding the Lead content of their glazes, or at worst, deliberately lying through their teeth since the company is 100% okay with just confidently dispensing meaningless assurances to customers concerned over potential Lead exposure for their families when eating off Denby dishware.
There’s really not much else to say here about this — it’s just so disappointing that nearly every company responds in this way, and that the responsibility for making sure our families are safe must be assumed by we the consumers, ourselves (who cannot trust companies … pretty much not ever).
For those new to this website:
Tamara Rubin is a multiple-Federal-award-winning independent advocate and activist, and a documentary filmmaker. She is the owner and founder of Lead Safe Mama, LLC — a woman-owned small business for consumer goods safety and childhood Lead poisoning prevention. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children, the inspiration for her work (Tamara’s sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in August of 2005). She was trained and certified to use XRF technology in 2009 — specifically with a focus on testing consumer goods for toxicants.
- Tamara was the parent advocate responsible for finding Lead in the popular fidget spinner toys in 2017.
- In 2022 her work was also responsible for three CPSC product recalls — the Jumping Jumperoo recall (June 2022), the Lead painted NUK baby bottle recall (July 2022), and the Leaded Green Sprouts Insulated Stainless Steel Baby Bottles (November 2022).
- In 2023, her work was featured in Consumer Reports Magazine (link) and has already precipitated a product recall for one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” the Bindle Bottle insulated stainless steel water bottle.
- To see a summary of violation reports filed by Lead Safe Mama, LLC — as well as recent press coverage of our work — please click this link.
The XRF instrument Tamara uses is the same instrument (and same scientific method) used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to test consumer goods for toxicants (specifically heavy metals), including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Antimony, and Arsenic. All test results reported on this website (LeadSafeMama.com/TamaraRubin.com) are science-based, accurate, and replicable. Items are tested multiple times to confirm the test results for each component tested and reported on. Please click through this link to learn more about the testing methodology used for the test results discussed and reported on this website.
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I found another stoneware plate from England by Johnson Bros that they call Ironstone and the plate line was called Snowwhite that was similarly high for lead with an XRF calibrated for lead paint. Year is unknown and was given to the family by a relative.
I have tested lots of both Johnson Brothers and Ironstone – they are consistently high in Lead. Here are some examples:
Ironstone
https://tamararubin.com/category/ironstone/
Johnson Brothers
https://tamararubin.com/category/johnson-brothers/
and here’s the Made in England category too:
https://tamararubin.com/category/made-in-england/
The frustrating thing is that people think these dishes are higher quality (and infer that they are safe) because they are “fine china” or “Made in England.” #Sigh.
Thanks for commenting Phillip!
Tamara
I bought some new Denby plates and bowls last year. You’re saying these have lead as well? If so, any suggestions on how to get a refund? This is disappointing because I paid a premium price for what I felt was a premium product.
Yes, that’s what I’m wondering, do the new ones have it as well?
I also want to know this! I have a Denby sugar bowl and some serving dishes bought in 2021. I likely wouldn’t buy from them in the future but I am curious how safe it is to use newer products that I already own.
before I bought a set of Denby stoneware(Azure Haze) in 2021, I contacted Denby US company, and they confirmed that ” Please know that all Denby is made without the use of lead, cadmium or harmful toxins in any of our processes and we start off with pure clay and glazes. Glazes are made of silica and alumina fused into a glass like substance, which also carry various colours and textural effects in the form of stains and frits.
These stains/frits typically contain materials such as cobalt, tin, copper, etc., but nothing harmful”. Now I am about to replace all my dinnerware by Denby, and by chance came cross your website. I have sent another inquiry to Denby and am waiting for reply regarding the high level of lead. I wonder how can Denby indicates “No lead”, but actually shows lead in your test?
I also have a number of Denby dishes that I have had and used since I got married 15 years ago. Is there any way for me to test them for lead myself?
There is not a way to test these yourself – I would compare the color scheme to the examples of some of the newer Denby china that I have tested and reported on and if they have similar colors and are of a similar age, I would expect them to have similar test results. Just click the “denby” tab (keyword) at the top of this page to see more examples.
Tamara
We use exclusively new line Denby in our house so obviously this is concerning. Have you tested any of their newer products? Also I have to wonder if this might not be entirely the fault of the companies, or at least not intentional by them, and how far back this problem might go in the supply chain. Ie companies being lied to by shady suppliers from China or wheverer. But still, you’d think the company should take it upon themselves to monitor their own products’ lead levels to be safe before sale.
This whole post and thread is indeed confusing because what was tested was much older and it’s not clear if anything new has been tested…doesn’t appear so because she won’t answer this…but looks like Denby has added the “no intentionally added…” just recently. Probably to avoid being sued.
please put DENBY in the search bar to see more examples of their products (older and newer) that we have tested.
T
I don’t see any tests on recent Denby plates etc. On this site even with the search bar. I agree they misled consumers in the past based on your results but to say that about the current range without any tests seems a little over confident…
Put the word “Denby” in the search bar to see some recent examples too.
The most recent product in your Denby section is a 2003 plate, which is over twenty years old. You show that it was safe by all standards. I wish there were more examples of newer Denby products made in the last five years. However, it looks like you only test what people send you. I hope someone will send something newer to check out.