Coffee

My favorite organic coffee… & some thoughts related to choosing safer/ low-Lead/ Lead-free foods

March 17, 2023November 15, 2023

For those new to this website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used…

Rae Dunn ceramic “Calm” coffee mug purchased at Marshall’s: 100 +/- 20 ppm Lead (within safe range for Lead)

June 20, 2020May 17, 2024

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For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her four sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Tamara owns and runs Lead Safe…

#AskTamara: Which mugs are Lead-free? How can I tell if my mug has unsafe levels of Lead? Which mugs do you use?

December 28, 2019April 23, 2024

212 Comments

For those new to this website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method…

Portmeirion “The Botanic Garden Circa 1818” Coffee Mug, 1972: 49,700 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe) + Cadmium too.

August 19, 2019August 19, 2019

5 Comments

I do not know the exact year of manufacture of this piece, however the markings indicated it was made in 1972 or later. It is a Portmeirion piece from the collection marked as “The Botanic Garden Circa 1818” and it also has the date “1972” on the bottom as well as the words “Susan Williams-Ellis”,…

Talk Show “Set Mugs” Series (Used By Hosts & Guests) The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Lead Free & Cadmium Free!

June 5, 2019January 13, 2020

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The Ellen DeGeneres Show Set Mug: Lead-Free, Cadmium-Free, Arsenic-Free – because of course it is! You rock Ellen! When tested with an XRF instrument, this gray and white Ellen show official set mug had the following readings: White text on outside of mug: Barium (Ba): 1,969 +/- 130 ppm Chromium (Cr): 2,924 +/- 191 ppm…

Talk Show “Set Mugs” Series (Used By Hosts & Guests) Today Show: 830 ppm Cadmium (75 is illegal in Denmark)

June 5, 2019June 5, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument, this orange and white Today Show official set mug had the following readings: White on outside of mug: Lead (Pb): 88 +/- 23 ppm [considered safe by all standards.] Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-detect Arsenic (As): Negative / Non-detect Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-detect Antimony (Sb): Negative / Non-detect…

Talk Show “Set Mugs” Series (Used By Hosts & Guests) The Talk: 1,829 ppm Cadmium (75 ppm Cd is illegal in Denmark)

June 5, 2019June 5, 2019

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When tested with an XRF instrument, this mug had the following readings: White on outside of mug: Lead (Pb): Negative / Non-detect Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-detect Arsenic (As): Negative / Non-detect Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-detect Antimony (Sb): Negative / Non-detect Barium (Ba): 1,867 +/- 204 ppm Zinc (Zn): 24,800 +/- 1,000 ppm Copper…

New (August 2018) Rae Dunn Ceramic “Gulp” Coffee Mug from Marshall’s: 108 +/- 18 ppm Lead (safe by all standards)

April 21, 2019January 24, 2024

3 Comments

To see more examples of Rae Dunn pieces Lead Safe Mama has tested, click here. Read more: Can I test my dishes with a LeadCheck swab? When tested with an XRF instrument, this ceramic “Rae Dunn Artisan Collection by Magenta” brand “Gulp” coffee mug (Made in China) purchased at a Marshall’s in Portland, Oregon for about…

Vintage Ceramic Hull Brand (Made In USA) Coffee Cup: 299,800 ppm [30%!] Lead (when tested with an XRF instrument.)

January 25, 2019

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Ceramic “Hull” Made In USA “Oven Proof” Coffee Cup. When tested with an XRF instrument this cup had the following readings (each test done for a minimum of 60 seconds.) Exterior Brown of Cup Lead (Pb): 120,700 +/- 5,000 ppm Barium (Ba): 498 +/- 145 ppm Selenium (Se): 158 +/- 77 ppm Iron (Fe): 17,300…

Vintage Christmas “Made in USA” Corning Glass Mug: 28,200 ppm Lead! 90 ppm is unsafe for kids

September 13, 2018December 14, 2023

2 Comments

For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website: Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Tamara owns and runs Lead Safe Mama, LLC — a…

Newly Purchased August 2018 Rae Dunn Ceramic Coffee Mugs from Marshall’s

August 22, 2018August 23, 2018

2 Comments

These ceramic Rae Dunn brand coffee mugs (Made in China) were purchased at a Marshall’s in Portland, Oregon for about $5 each in August 2018. Each has a slightly different finish, so one would expect them to each test slightly different in terms of an levels of lead found when texted with an XRF instrument….

#LeadSafe: “Have A Magical Day” Disney Parks Mug

July 21, 2018December 15, 2018

When tested with an XRF instrument this “Made in Thailand” Disney Parks “Have A Magical Day” coffee mug was positive for a very low level of lead (Pb): 68 +/- 32 ppm. It was negative (non-detect/ND) for cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg.) For context: The amount of lead considered toxic in an item…

2017 Starbucks Coffee “You Are Here” Collection, California Mug: 6,397 ppm Lead [> 90 is unsafe for kids.]

April 12, 2018November 16, 2019

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XRF test results for the mug pictured: When tested with an XRF instrument this Starbucks Coffee Brand Ceramic “You Are Here” Collection “California” Mug (c. 2017) had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 6,397 +/- 184 ppm Cadmium (Cd): Non-Detect / Negative Arsenic (As): Non-Detect / Negative Mercury (Hg): Non-Detect / Negative The amount of Lead that…

#LeadFree: 2016 3 oz Starbucks Coffee Company Black Ceramic Espresso Cup

April 12, 2018

5 Comments

This Starbucks Coffee Company black glazed three ounce espresso mug (“Made in China”) tested negative (non-detect) for lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic when tested with an XRF instrument. Other Starbucks Coffee brand mugs have not fared so well over the years. Click here to see if I have tested your Starbucks Coffee mug! For more lead-free…

#Leaded: 2006 Starbucks Coffee Brand Ceramic Mug with Pear and Flower Design

April 12, 2018

2006 Starbucks Coffee Brand Ceramic Mug with Pear and Flower Design: Positive for lead (Pb) with levels as high as 304 ppm lead (+/- 37 ppm) when tested with an XRF instrument. This mug was negative for cadmium, arsenic and mercury. The amount of lead that is considered toxic in the substrate of an item manufactured…

#LeadFree: 2015 Starbucks Coffee Gold Peace Sign Espresso Mug

April 12, 2018

2 Comments

This Starbucks Coffee gold peace sign three ounce espresso mug (“Made in China”) tested negative (non-detect) for lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic when tested with an XRF instrument. Other Starbucks Coffee brand mugs have not fared so well over the years. Click here to see if I have tested your Starbucks Coffee mug! For more lead-free…

“Made in Poland” Yellow Enamelware Mug: 88 ppm Lead + 21,600 ppm Cadmium [75 ppm Cadmium is illegal in modern items in Denmark.]

April 3, 2018May 25, 2019

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Yellow Enamelware Mug, “Made In Poland.” Positive for Lead at 88 ppm and for Cadmium at 21,600 ppm. Tested with an XRF instrument. While this mug is considered Lead-Safe* the amount of Cadmium present is at a level that is considered toxic in an item intended for children (and toxic by many standards otherwise as…

#Leaded: Grey Dog Ceramic Coffee Mug

April 3, 2018April 3, 2018

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The Grey Dog’s Coffee, Ceramic Mug (New York City). 19,100 ppm lead. Tested (in 2013) with an XRF instrument. I used to love this thick ceramic old fashioned style coffee mug from cafes & diners! Now I am always suspicious that any mug like this is likely to be very high lead. Given the ones…

2017 Stumptown Coffee Roasters Enameled Mug: 5,192 ppm Lead. [90+ is unsafe in items used by kids.]

April 3, 2018November 18, 2019

Newer (2017) Stumptown Coffee Roasters Enameled Metal Mug. Tested with an XRF instrument. Positive for Lead at 5,192 ppm. The amount of lead that is considered toxic in a modern/newly manufactured item intended for children is anything 90 ppm Lead or higher in the paint or coating. Mugs are not considered items intended for use…

#Leaded: Green Bodum French Press

December 13, 2017

16 Comments

This was super disappointing! 5,562 ppm lead & 69 ppm cadmium. This is the reading on the white writing (including the logo) which is on the outside of the glass canister. This writing often wears off with washing and normal use on similar products painted in a similar fashion (Green Sprouts sippy cups, glass measuring cups,…

#AskTamara: What coffee maker do you use?

December 13, 2017March 12, 2019

39 Comments

I get this question A LOT! “Tamara, what coffee maker do you use?” A: Mostly we use a French press style coffee maker. However I do want to clarify that I have found lead in several French presses. Specifically (as with many measuring cups and other glass items with logos or marked writings on the…

#Leaded: Vintage Ziggy Mug

December 5, 2017January 28, 2018

Ziggy Mug: 33,800 ppm lead Tested July 2014. Thanks to Tania Moxon for donating and supporting my advocacy! For #SaferChoices for your family, click here. If you would like to support my advocacy work (and this website) please consider making a contribution via GoFundMe or PayPal. Thank you!

Portmeirion coffee mug with heart pattern design: 49,000 ppm Lead. For context, 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

December 5, 2017February 12, 2020

Portmeirion – mug “microwave safe” – 49,000 ppm lead! For #SaferChoices for your family, click here. If you would like to support my advocacy work (and this website) please consider making a contribution via GoFundMe or PayPal. Thank you!

#Leaded: Vintage “You Are The Sunshine” Ceramic Mug

December 5, 2017January 28, 2018

“You Are The Sunshine” Coffee Mug. 3,151 ppm lead, 571 ppm cadmium, & 948 ppm arsenic. (white unglazed ceramic: 20 ppm lead) Tested with an XRF instrument December 2015. Thanks to Kelly Paluso for donating and supporting my advocacy! For #SaferChoices for your family, click here. If you would like to support my advocacy work…