March 29, 2023 — Wednesday
Earlier this year (in January of 2023) a Lead Safe Mama reader shared the following communications with me. There are two screenshots below — the first is her e-mail to Anchor Hocking, and the second is their response. Please take a look at the two images and the related text and then continue reading below the images. For context, Fire King is owned by Anchor Hocking — link to Wikipedia article above.
Text from the above image: “I bought some vintage Fire King coffee mugs (orange and blue) from an antique store and I was wondering if the vintage glassware was also Lead, Cadmium, etc. free? Also, if they are safe and Lead free. Can they be used in the microwave and put in the dishwasher safely? Thank you.”
Text from the above image: “Thank you for taking the time to contact the Anchor Hocking Company. Anchor Hocking strives to maintain high quality standard to provide the finest products available in the market place today and in the future. Please be assured that our products, old and new, are Lead, Cadmium, heavy metal and BPA free. Our products are FDA food contact and CA Prop 65 compliant. Again, thank you for corresponding with the Anchor Hocking Company.”
#Sigh — this is really getting old!
Sadly, this (same old, same old) story is not even particularly “newsworthy” at this point; I am only bothering to report it at this time to document that Anchor Hocking is YET ANOTHER company denying the sins of their past, just like so many other companies have. And please realize that when we are talking about their “past,” this is not just “ancient history” — not only were all of the painted measurement markings and painted decorative designs on their painted vintage glassware pieces high-Lead paint, but this is also true of some of their more recent pieces — including the painted measurement markings on glass Anchor Hocking measuring cups that are less than 20 years old! [Note: “vintage” normally refers to items that are 20 years old or older and “Antique” normally refers to items that are 100 years old or older.]
In addition to Lead, many of their glassware items also test positive for high levels of Cadmium, and/or Arsenic in the painted measurement and decorative markings. Separately, their glazed ceramic pieces also tend to test positive for high levels of Lead in the glaze.
Just a handful of many such examples (these represent the rule, not the exception)
Below are some of the Anchor Hocking and Fire King branded items we have tested, along with the Lead levels found. Each of the numbered items on the list below is a link to a post or article with more information (and photos) on the item listed.
- Glass Anchor Hocking Measuring Cup with Blue Painted Markings: 36,300 ppm Lead & 580 ppm Cadmium
- Glass Anchor Hocking Measuring Cup with Red Painted Markings: 32,500 ppm Lead
- Milk Glass Anchor Hocking Casserole Dish with Blue Painted Cornflower Pattern: 18,600 ppm Lead & 137 ppm Cadmium
- Anchor Hocking Mickey Mouse Club Milk Glass Mug: 75,300 ppm Lead & 15,400 ppm Arsenic
- Vintage Anchor Hocking Glazed Ceramic Plate: 44,700 ppm Lead
- Vintage Milk Glass Fire King Mug with Snack Tray: 44.600 ppm Lead
- Vintage Milk Glass Fire King Bowl with Tulip Pattern: 19,300 ppm Lead
What about Anchor Hocking’s statement that they are “Prop 65-compliant”?
Proposition 65 is a California law that went into effect in 1986. For an Anchor Hocking representative to begin to suggest that their pre-1986 painted glassware is in any way “Prop 65-compliant” is completely ridiculous (and 100% not true)! As far as consumer goods are concerned (as you can see from the screenshot above), the focus is only that the company needs to give a WARNING of the presence of toxic substances. I can guarantee you Anchor Hocking NEVER even gave a WARNING that their glassware was painted with Lead-paint (or that their dishes were decorated with high-Lead glaze) prior to 1986! I also believe they gave no warning with items sold since then that were painted with Lead paint (the more-recent glass measuring cups, as a noted example). I have never once seen (or heard of) any Prop 65-compliant labeling with their Lead-painted glass measuring cups.
Additional Information & Links
- Any new-on-shelf painted measuring cups purchased today from this brand may-or-may-not have Lead in the painted markings. If they have Lead-free painted markings they may instead test positive for high levels of Cadmium.
- In general, we recommend sticking with unpainted/undecorated glassware for any glassware items you might use in your home.
- Modern (new or recently purchased) clear glass products from Anchor Hocking generally test negative for toxicants (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, etc.).
- Here’s a link to a scientific study that discusses the concern for painted glassware (for which the paint tests positive for Lead and/or Cadmium).
- Since the paint is “only on the outside” of most these pieces, many people ask “why is this a problem?” Please click this link to learn more about the potential health impacts of these painted exterior surfaces.
- Here’s a link to some safer choices for modern/new Lead-free casserole options.
- Here’s a link to some safer choices for modern/new Lead-free glassware options.
- Here’s a link to some safer choices for modern/new Lead-free measuring cup options.
~ End ~
Introduction (for those new to this website)
Tamara Rubin is a Federal-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety and childhood Lead-poisoning prevention 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 technology (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 consumer goods 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.
I had a similar experience with this company recently. I tested two red painted Anchor Hocking measuring cups with the 3M home test kits. My older one (paint was wearing off) tested positive (vivid red) and the newer one tested negative. I called the company and received the same information as your reader preaching that “lead is everywhere, honey” but assuring me that their products were lead free and cadmium free. When I went to a local lead abatement company to have the newer cup tested for lead, he could not find lead in it but his XRF analyzer was only for lead and no other toxic metals. I had already thrown away the older cup. In the meantime, I was able to find a cup on Amazon without painted markings and tempered glass but its spout doesn’t pour well and the handle is small. It’s made by Pey-o-rey, Libbey’s version of Pyrex I guess but it’s not advertised as such. It came from China and took forever to arrive (shipping was costly) but it was the only other embossed measuring cup I could find that was made of tempered glass, as I use it mostly for heating up water in the microwave. When I asked the Anchor rep why they don’t offer a non-painted version, she told me they used to sell them but that they didn’t sell well. Thanks for all you do, Tamara!
Hello Tamera. Are the current Anchor Hocking products safe? I recently bought all their glass food storage items with lids assuming they were safe as well as their three-spouted small measuring cup which I believe I found on your site. Thank you so much for all you do.
Wow, that’s shocking. I bought the large measuring cup that you recommend, so I assume that one is fine (the Anchor Hocking one). But it’s shocking that they do not address this issue honestly. I have to say, I assumed that – since you did recommend that product – in general their glassware would be okay. I do have a couple of bowls of theirs, also clear glass (storage bowls with snap-on plastic lids). But I am very disappointed in the company for doing this! They should know better…
Their new / modern clear glass products are Lead-free.
T
Do you know why the Anchor Hocking clear glass products such as this measuring cup would have a Prop 65 warning specifically for lead if the company claims to be Lead-free? https://www.webstaurantstore.com/anchor-hocking-81605ahg18-2-qt-glass-measuring-cup/55081605A.html
Probably just a CYA (Cover-Your-Ass) statement – not a legitimate concern.
T
Does only the paint contain lead?
Can old clear glass dishes also contain lead?
I have a clear glass anchor hocking fire king casserole dish that I dont know how old it is, I got it from a second hand store.
I’m interested, too, about the vintage (60+ years old) Anchor Hocking clear glass. I have my gram’s clear glass water bottle that we drank out of for years… (I’m OK – just a bit weird… so I assume it’s OK) and I wanted to clean it up and use it in my fridge (the water always tasted wonderful from this glass bottle!).
I loved your information. I am trying find out if using a vintage butter dish for butter that my mom should NOT be used to keep butter on the counte. Can you take a quick look and telll me “Yes, it’s okay for butter” or “No not okay for butter”.
Much appreciated, Barbara in WI
I have 2 Clear 20 oz Anchor Ovenware Casseroles with bottom print: ‘USA 20 1036, no stovetop or broiler use’ I don’t know the age of these, there is no paint. Each has a glass lid.
Any idea if this is safe to use? I’m loving all of your research!
Fire King Anchor Hocking Milk Glass Egg/Osyter plate. It’s milk glass with a gold trim on the outer edge.
Do we know if the vintage milk glass custard cups (no print or anything) are safe? I have a set that used to get used all the time but now I’m wondering if i should use them or not. There’s no print to use a lead test on, just plain milk glass.