Made In Japan

Vintage Noritake “Golden Cove” pattern china from Japan: 301,400 ppm Lead on the food surface. 90 ppm is unsafe.

March 21, 2020March 21, 2020

Posted: Saturday, March 21, 2020 Introduction: Tamara Rubin is an independent advocate for consumer goods safety, and she is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She began testing consumer goods for toxicants in 2009 and was the parent-advocate responsible for finding Lead in the popular fidget spinner toys in 2017. She uses high-precision XRF testing (a…

Sanyo Saucer, Japan – c. 1993. Lead-free food surface – common with china made in Japan for the Japanese market.

March 20, 2020March 20, 2020

1 Comment

Posted: Friday, March 20, 2020 Introduction: Tamara Rubin is an independent advocate for consumer goods safety, and she is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She began testing consumer goods for toxicants in 2009 and was the parent-advocate responsible for finding Lead in the popular fidget spinner toys in 2017. She uses high-precision XRF testing (a…

1983 Avon Mother’s Day Dish: 9,750 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe) + 121 ppm Antimony (causes cancer in rats).

February 23, 2020May 15, 2022

XRF Reading – 60 second test Lead (Pb): 9,750 +/- 229 ppm Chromium (Cr): 3,588 +/- 157 ppm Antimony (Sb): 121 +/- 20 ppm Tin (Sn): 217 +/- 19 ppm Zinc (Zn): 3,224 +/- 131 ppm Iron (Fe): 2,689 +/- 230 ppm Vanadium (V): 452 +/- 48 ppm Titanium (Ti): 346 +/- 52 ppm…

Mikasa Maxima Sorrento pattern cup and saucer: 21,200 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 167 pm Cadmium.

January 31, 2020March 20, 2020

3 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument (for repeated 30 second tests on each component) the Mikasa cup and saucer pictured here had the following readings: White center of plate Lead (Pb): 69 +/- 15 ppm Barium (Ba): 383 +/- 56 ppm Zinc (Zn): 32,500 +/- 800 ppm Copper (Cu): 79+/- 38 ppm Iron (Fe): 461…

“Made In Japan” Casual Images by Lenox, Rose Garden Pattern: 20,800 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 137 ppm Cadmium

January 30, 2020July 29, 2020

1 Comment

When tested with an XRF instrument (60 second readings) this Casual Images by Lenox (in the Rose Garden Pattern) china had the following readings: On the center of the food surface of the plate: Copper (Cu): 188 +/- 48 ppm Iron (Fe): 934 +/- 207 ppm Bismuth (Bi): 40 +/- 16 ppm Zirconium (Zr): 8,733…

Vintage “Epic” stainless spoon with faux wood / composite handle: 2,170 ppm Lead. For context: 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

January 7, 2020May 13, 2020

1 Comment

When tested with an XRF instrument the vintage stainless steel Epic brand “forged stainless” spoon (Made in Japan) with faux wood handle pictured here had the following readings: Faux wood / composite of handle: Lead (Pb): 2,170 +/- 41 ppm Barium (Ba): 757 +/- 115 ppm Chromium (Cr): 222 +/- 53 ppm Bromine (Br): 12…

Made in Japan “Field” vintage small bowl: 7,196 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids), 74 ppm Antimony + 226 ppm Arsenic.

December 16, 2019March 20, 2020

When tested with an XRF instrument this “Made in Japan” Field china bowl (I don’t know if Field is the brand or the pattern, and the exact year of manufacture of this dish is unknown at this time) had the following readings: White center of food surface of bowl: Zinc (Zn): 46 +/- 17 ppm…

Made in Occupied Japan floral saucer: positive for Lead (6,825 ppm), Cadmium, Arsenic (878 ppm) and Antimony.

December 10, 2019March 20, 2020

4 Comments

The back mark with the words “Made in Occupied Japan” puts the date of manufacture of this dish in the range of 1945 to 1952. When tested with an XRF instrument the small floral design saucer pictured here had the following readings: Food surface of the dish – on the flowers: Lead (Pb): 6,208 +/- 160…

1960s Sango brand (made in Japan) child’s teacup: 2,323 ppm Lead [90 is unsafe for kids] + 292 ppm Arsenic.

November 22, 2019March 20, 2020

When tested with an XRF instrument this Sango teacup (made in Japan) had the following readings: 1) Test focused on silver banding on handle: Lead (Pb): Negative / Non-Detect Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-Detect Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-Detect Arsenic (As): Negative / Non-Detect Antimony (Sb): Negative / Non-Detect Gold (Au): 755 +/- 64 ppm…

1963 Style House Contessa Fine China Made in Japan: 7,700 ppm Lead in decorative elements (90 ppm is unsafe for kids.)

November 19, 2019March 20, 2020

2 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument this “Made in Japan” Style House dish (Contessa pattern) from 1963 had the following readings. Decorative elements on food surface of dish ( images above): Lead (Pb): 7,700 +/- 170 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 16 +/- 7 ppm Chromium (Cr): 2,604 +/- 116 ppm Zinc (Zn): 1,119 +/- 64 ppm…

Mikasa “Potters Art” Ben Seibel Country Cabin Design (Made in Japan) Ceramic Dish: 76 ppm Lead. Safe by all standards.

November 13, 2019November 13, 2019

1 Comment

#LeadSafe | Made In Japan | Mikasa | XRF Testing | XRFTesting

When tested with an XRF instrument this Mikasa ceramic plate had the following readings (scroll down to see additional images): Brown glazed ceramic center of food surface of dish: Lead (Pb): 48 +/- 16 ppm Barium (Ba): 251 +/- 62 ppm Zinc (Zn): 32,200 +/- 900 ppm Copper (Cu): 152 +/- 46 ppm Iron (Fe):…

1993 Mikasa English Countryside Coffee Mug: 30,900 ppm Lead. 90 is unsafe in items intended for use by kids.

October 26, 2019March 20, 2020

1 Comment

Exact XRF Readings For This Dish When tested with an XRF instrument, this “White DP900” Mikasa English Countryside Coffee Mug from 1993 (purchased at a Mikasa outlet store in the state of Maine; Made in Japan) had the following readings: Mug outside Lead (Pb): 30,900 +/- 800 ppm Zinc (Zn): 1,336 +/- 88 ppm Copper…

Mikasa Narumi Japan “Winthrop” Fine China: 4,355 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe in kids’ items.]

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019

5 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument this Mikasa Narumi Japan “Winthrop” Fine China plate (with silver and gray edging) had the following readings: Silver/Gray edging of food surface of dish: Lead (Pb): 4,355 +/- 95 ppm Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-Detect Mercury (Hg: Negative / Non-Detect Barium (Ba): Negative / Non-Detect Chromium (Cr): 159 +/- 67…

Japanese Hasami Porcelain Mug Glazed Area: Non-Detect for Lead, Substrate: 30 ppm (safe by all standards.)

July 13, 2018March 26, 2019

9 Comments

This Hasami Porcelain ceramic mug (Made In Japan) was negative (non-detect/ND) for Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd) and Arsenic (As) on the glazed elements when tested with an XRF instrument. Other elements found in the glaze: Zinc (Zn): 2,480 +/- 114 ppm Iron (Fe): 4,174 +/- 288 ppm Bismuth (Bi): 24 +/- 11 ppm…

#LeadFree: Crate & Barrel Made In Japan White Ceramic Mug

July 9, 2018December 15, 2018

12 Comments

This Crate & Barrel white ceramic mug (Made In Japan) was negative (non-detect/ND) for lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) when tested with an XRF instrument. The glaze on the main part of the cup was positive for the following metals when tested with an XRF instrument: Barium (Ba): 131 +/- 42…

Vintage (Made in Japan) ceramic Santa Claus Christmas mug: As high as 5,077 ppm Lead

June 24, 2018January 2, 2024

1 Comment

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…

#Leaded: Big Bird Child’s Mug

January 28, 2018

2 Comments

Big Bird Ceramic Child’s Mug: 15,100 ppm lead. Tested with an XRF instrument in 2013. Made in Japan If you have an interest in learning more about these posts (likely because you are new to my site!) please check out this post and this post for a start! Thanks for visiting! To see more mugs…

#LeadSafe: Vintage “Crown Corning” White Ceramic Plate, Made in Japan

January 21, 2018January 21, 2018

2 Comments

This vintage made in Japan “Crown Corning” brand white ceramic plate tested positive for lead when tested with an XRF instrument at 46 ppm lead. Tested in 2014. Year of manufacture unknown. In 2018 the amount of lead that is considered toxic in a modern/newly manufactured item intended for children is 90 ppm lead (or…

#Leaded: “Oven Proof” Blue Ceramic Fish Tray

December 29, 2017December 29, 2017

Vintage “Oven Proof” Blue Ceramic Fish Tray: 596 ppm lead. Made in Japan. Please note: All of the vintage ceramics that I have tested that were marked “Oven Proof” on the back have been positive for high levels of lead. Most have been positive for levels much higher than the level found in this particular piece….

#LeadFreeChina: Noritake

October 19, 2017October 19, 2017

38 Comments

Noritake Stoneware, Made in Japan plate: tested negative for lead! #Woot! Please note: MOST of the vintage Noritake I have tested has been positive for high levels of lead. When it comes to the relative safety of vintage dishware, you really cannot extrapolate simply from a brand name. To see more safe choices for your family, check…

Noritake “Dutch Tile” Pattern: 164,700 ppm Lead [More than 16% Lead in the glaze!] 90 ppm is unsafe.

October 19, 2017May 18, 2019

Today’s “Winner”… Highest lead item tested recently! #Noritake “Gala Cuisine” Japan / “Dutch Tile” 164,700 ppm lead – that’s 16% lead!!! CPSC hazard level for items intended for use by children is 90 ppm and higher in the paint, glaze or coating. Vintage dish ware is not regulated for total lead content as detectable with…

Vintage Noritake Rosedawn China Saucer (Made in Japan): 933 ppm Lead

April 30, 2017May 29, 2021

29 Comments

Noritake China Saucer: 933 ppm lead (+/- 86 ppm), ND (non-detect) for Hg (mercury), As (arsenic0 & Cd (cadmium)! Most vintage Noritake china I have tested has been positive for high levels of lead. Tamara’s Grade: “F” “F” = I would not want to use it in my home, I would (politely) refuse to eat food that…

#LeadSafeDishes: Made In Japan

January 14, 2017

Made in Japan bowl — ranging from 17 ppm lead to 23 ppm lead. This is very low lead! Considered safe by all standards. XRFTesting ___ Learn more and find lead-free dishware options here: https://tamararubin.com/2016/12/dishes/