Nowadays, there is a wide variety of tableware made of various materials on the market, including glass, ceramics, wood… which are eye-catching. Strongly remind friends: Improper selection of tableware can seriously harm the health of us and our families! So the question arises, how should we choose tableware? This article introduces the advantages and disadvantages of various types of tableware made of different materials.

 

Glass

  • Advantages: From a safety perspective, glass tableware is the safest because it does not exude harmful substances and can hold water at different temperatures, making cleaning extremely convenient. Coupled with the high appearance of glass tableware, taking photos and posting on social media can save face.
  • Disadvantages: It is well-known that glass is fragile, and if one is not careful, they may fall to pieces. Although glass does not exude harmful substances, long-term water erosion can cause the sodium silicate in the glass to react with carbon dioxide in the air, generating white carbonate crystals that are harmful to human health. However, alkaline detergents can be used to remove them to avoid damaging health.
  • Suggestion: Glass tableware should be handled with care and cleaned with alkaline detergent.

 

Ceramics

  • Advantages: Ceramic tableware is charming in terms of shape, color, and price. Plus, it’s easy to clean, making it the top choice for many families.
  • Disadvantage: Ceramic tableware is fragile. Most of the ceramics on the market have painted surfaces, which can be divided into overglaze, underglaze, and underglaze colors according to different production processes. Overglaze color is painted on porcelain and then fired. The pattern protrudes onto the surface of the ceramic, giving it a feeling of protrusion to the touch. There is a risk of leaching harmful substances when food comes into contact with colored glaze. The painting of underglaze and underglaze colors is done by covering them with a layer of glaze after the painting, which has a relatively high safety factor.
  • Suggestion: When choosing ceramic tableware, you should choose large shopping malls and brands, and try to choose underglaze and underglaze color products with fine processing and smooth surfaces. If you choose an overglaze color product, you can first soak it in vinegar and boil it to remove most of the toxic substances. Do not use ceramic tableware to store acidic foods, coffee, alcohol, and other beverages to avoid the release of toxic substances.

tableware

Wooden

  • Advantages: The biggest advantage of wooden tableware is that it is easy to obtain materials and has no chemical toxicity. It is suitable for men, women, old and young, and is also very popular due to its lightweight use.
  • Disadvantages: The biggest problem with wooden tableware is mold. If not disinfected carefully, it can easily lead to gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, some bamboo and wood tableware are coated with paint, which can form carcinogen in the human body.
  • Suggestion: When using wooden tableware, it is important to keep the tableware dry and disinfect regularly. Try to choose products without carving or pigments.

 

Stainless Steel

  • Advantages: Stainless steel is beautiful and generous, lightweight, and resistant to falling, which is deeply loved by people.
  • Disadvantages: Household stainless steel is divided into three grades: 430, 304, and 316, which are non-toxic and meet the standard grade of edible stainless steel materials. But currently, some products on the market are made of 201 or 202 materials, which are cheap but can release harmful heavy metals that are harmful to the human body.
  • Suggestion: Pay attention to its material when purchasing. Do not store salt, soy sauce, vinegar, etc. for a long time.

 

Imitation Porcelain

  • Advantages: Also known as melamine tableware, it is made of melamine resin and is essentially a type of plastic. The appearance is similar to porcelain, but it is stronger and has a higher smoothness than porcelain. Non toxic, odorless, and resistant to impact, widely used in the fast food industry and for children.
  • Disadvantages: Most imitation porcelain tableware is not resistant to high temperature and corrosion. In addition, some unscrupulous businesses use urea formaldehyde resin to counterfeit melamine resin for profit, which can release toxic substances in high temperatures and harm human health.
  • Suggestion: Recognize the production logo, purchase through formal channels, and do not seek cheap prices. Do not hold high-temperature food or heat it in the microwave. It is not advisable to use steel wire balls or strong acid or alkali detergents for cleaning.

 

Plastic

  • Advantages: It has strong water resistance, and is resistant to falling. It is lightweight and beautiful to use, and the price is low.
  • Disadvantages: Plastic tableware is divided into 7 types, with different numbering, performance, and usage. Some can be heated, while others cannot. Toxic substances may precipitate under high temperatures.
  • Suggestion: When purchasing tableware, pay attention to the label. The label labeled as “PS” (polystyrene) or “PP” (polypropylene) is harmless to the human body and can be used with confidence. However, it is also important to avoid excessive heating and storing acidic beverages to avoid other toxic substances. Try not to choose tableware that is too brightly colored.

 

Overall, when choosing tableware, it is best to choose glass products, followed by ceramics and wood products, and try not to choose plastic tableware. Be sure to read the quality label clearly, purchase through legitimate channels, and never purchase products without three options to avoid losing the big and the small!