Lead and cadmium hide in the glaze of brightly colored, decorated dinnerware. That’s why you should always choose more plain-looking sets. Tell me if this sounds familiar: You’ll uncover our top six safest dishware options, how toxic materials end up on your dinner plates, how to tell if a dish contains lead , and the health risks of toxic dinnerware.

Fire-Rated Safe Plates: Fire-rated safe plates are designed to maintain the fire resistance of walls and ceilings. They are constructed with fire-resistant materials and are tested to withstand fire for a specified duration, ensuring that they do not compromise the building’s fire safety. The US Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA) has established that no more than 3 µ/mL of lead can leech from dishware per day. California’s Prop 65, however, only allows up to 0.5 µ/mL per day – this is a much stricter standard. Yes, these amounts are small… but with all things, consistent exposure can have compounding effects. Lead builds up in the body and there is no safe level. Porcelain, also referred to as china, is the most ubiquitous ceramic dinnerware. It is less expensive than bone china, and with the right balance of price, durability and weight, it's great for both daily use and formal dinner parties. It has a glazed, nonporous surface that makes it dishwasher safe, microwavable and sometimes oven-safe. Antique tableware handed down in families or found in antique stores or garage sales (especially from pre-1970 – before the FDA began regulating dishware).

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A sandwich toaster is probably the first appliance you ever bought, and may since have become car boot fodder, so why get a new one? Because, oozing with cheese, with perhaps a couple of slice of juicy tomato and a crispy buttery coating, a tasty toastie is about as resistible as un-popped bubble wrap. As essential as one of the best microwaves, you can brunch, lunch and dinner, all with one smart machine. Removable plates Make for easier cleaning as you can pop them in a washing up bowl. If they’re dishwasher safe you shouldn’t have to do any scrubbing. Avoid storing food in bowls or containers that use glaze, especially acidic foods which can accelerate leaching

Look for dinnerware made of clear borosilicate glass without decals or decorations whenever possibleAvoid vintage dishware or antiques (especially if manufactured before 1970, when lead wasn’t tested by the FDA).