How to Tell if Fiestaware is Lead Free
Generally, most colored dinnerware contains some percentage of lead because of the materials they use in making them. With the availability of many dinnerware brands, it can be difficult to tell the difference, and Fiestaware isn’t an exception even with its consistent bright colors, it does not rule out the fact that it could contain some percentage of lead; this is why you should know how to tell if Fiestaware is lead free.
Let me clear some misunderstanding about the meaning of lead-free dishes. This is about the FDA standard on lead and cadmium free dishes.
The FDA measure leachable lead and not leachable content, what this means is that leachable lead is the amount of lead that could enter your food and body why leachable content is the full content of the material or product.
Therefore, a dinnerware could contain a high percentage of lead but with a glaze that prevents lead leaching or seeping into your food thereby passing the FDA standard. This is why homer Laughlin china chooses not to use the phrase 100% lead free.
Table of Contents
HOW TO TELL IF FIESTAWARE IS LEAD FREE?
Here are the two easy ways to find out if your Fiestaware contain Lead. Fiestaware brands have made it easy for users of their product to tell if it’s lead free. One easy way is to look at the bottom of the dinnerware to find the lead-free stamp, very visible, but as I mentioned earlier, lead free actually means leachable lead and not leachable content. Another way is to use a lead test kit, this test kit is designed to detect lead in any material.
HOW TO DATE FIESTAWARE?
This is how to date a fiestaware;
- Check the bottom of the dish to find a stamp
- The dates on the stamp are coded with letters
- The year is coded by two letters and the month by a single letter
- Examples of this is XX which means 2009
- L which means December (that will be December 2009)
These codes started appearing on Fiestaware since 1992;
HERE IS A FULL CHART OF THE CODED DATES
| Homer Laughlin Date Codes for Year | Homer Laughlin Date Codes for Month |
| GG – 1992 | A – January |
| HH – 1993 | B – February |
| II – 1994 | C – March |
| JJ – 1995 | D – April |
| KK – 1996 | E – May |
| LL – 1997 | F – June |
| MM – 1998 | G – July |
| NN – 1999 | H – August |
| OO – 2000 | I – September |
| PP – 2001 | J – October |
| QQ – 2002 | K – November |
| RR – 2003 | L – December |
| SS – 2004 | |
| TT – 2005 | |
| UU – 2006 | |
| VV – 2007 | |
| WW – 2008 | |
| XX – 2009 |
FIESTAWARE COLORS
We can’t talk about how to tell if Fiestaware is lead free without talking about Fiestaware colors. Fiesta ware comes in different beautiful and attractive colors, and the newest fiesta dinnerware colors or fiesta ware colors for2020 is Butterscotch. This vibrant shade of orangey-yellow is the 52nd color they have produced since the 1936 fiesta.
Fiesta has 14 or 15 colors in its spectrum but for 2020, there are 15 signature fiesta colors. They are: Ivory, Slate; Scarlet, Poppy; Butterscotch, Daffodil; Sunflower, Lemongrass; Shamrock, Meadow; Turquoise, Lapis; Cobalt, Mulberry; and White.
These colors add beauty, elegance, and class to your kitchen and dining. Use these beautiful colors to spice up your dining table when next you are having a get together with friends and family.
RELATED POST: IS FIESTAWARE CADMIUM FREE
VINTAGE FIESTAWARE – LEAD IN VINTAGE DISHES
Now about vintage fiestaware, lets go back to 1936 to know first the original colors of the vintgae fiestaware. The Original colors for the vintage fiestaware includes; red, cobalt blue, light green, yellow and old ivory.
However, it is wise to note that Red isn’t the only color of the vintage ceramic glaze fiestaware that is radioactive. You can also detect radiaoactivity from other colors, including ivory.
To this note, We do not recommend using old fiestaware vintage sets because they might contain uranium oxide and might pose a risk to your health. Another reason we don’t recommend vintage fiestaware sets is because Fiesta dinnerware made from 1936-1972 may be radioactive.
Finally, the FDA( Food and Drug Adminisration), began enforcing production of lead free dinnerware sets 40 years ago, that is to say that any dinnerware sets or vintage fiestaware manufactured prior before that time might contain lead or other hamful chemical that might be detremental to your health.
RELATED POST: DOES CORELLE HAVE LEAD
LEAD FREE DISHES
As I have explained above, how to tell if Fiestaware is lead free, let’s look at lead free dishes. Lead has been used in dishware for many years, typically to create bright colors and a smooth, transparent glaze.
Lead free dinnerware sets are plates, bowls, dinner sets that are safe for use especially for food consumption. They are hygienic and produced under strict adherence to all food safety rules and guidelines.
Some brands of lead and cadmium free drinking sets include; Duralex, Libbey glassware, Luminarc lead and cadmium free drinking glasses, Simax glassware, Highball drinking glasses, Bormioli Rocco cadmium-free glasses, and La Rochere Napoleon lead and cadmium free glasses.
Below are the 5 best lead-free dishes that are suitable for daily use;
LEAD FREE FIESTA 4-PIECE PLACE SETTING, WHITE.
This Fiestaware dinnerset is Made in the USA. It is well designed with a Vitrified Ceramic body that has a Lead-Free glaze.
It is also Dishwasher, Microwave and Oven safe and comea with a 5-year chip resistance warranty. Fiestawares are surdy, versatile and pretty.
Great value for money, giftable, easy to clean and durable.
LEAD-FREE TUXTON HOME CONCENTRIX DINNER PLATE CHIP RESISTANT FREEZER TO OVEN SAFE UP TO 500F
The Tuxton Dinner Plates comes in as the best lead and cadmium free dinnerwate sets with thermal shock and low permeability.
The Tuxton Home products have been used and tested in restaurants. They are Microwave, dishwasher, freezer and oven safe. The Tuxton home dinner plates Passes ca prop 65 and all U.S FDA requirements for lead and cadmium exposure.
Designed for heavy/ double duty use; Can go from freezer to oven to table. The colors won’t fade, designed to stack easily creating space in the kitchen, food safe and chip – resistant durabilty.
We highly recommend this Tuxton Home Lead Free Dish set.
LEAD-FREE CORELLE SERVICE FOR 12, CHIP RESISTANT, WINTER FROST DISH WHITE DINNERWARE SET, 78 PIECE
This Pure Corelle Service for 12 white frost is lead and cadmium free. The 78 piece set includes 12 dinner plates, 12 lunch plates, 12 side plates, 12 large bowls with lids, 12 small bowls, 2 two-qt serving bowls, 2 one-qt serving bowls with lids.
They are bright and classic, this White dinnerware set is versatile, durable and easy to clean.
triple-layer-strong glass plates and bowls highly resist chips and cracks
Lightweight and easy to handle. Plates and bowls stack compactly, taking up half the space of ceramic dishes.
Dishwasher, microwave and preheated-oven safe.
RELATED POST: IS CORELLE LEAD AND CADMIUM FREE
CORELLE WINTER FROST WHITE DINNER PLATES SET (10-1/4-INCH, 6-PIECE )
This Lead free Corelle winter frost dish set Includes: 6 Winter Frost White 10 1/4 inches Dinner Plates. Dishwasher safe for long lasting patterns.
Microwave and oven use for versatility. Break and chip resistance for carefree durability. Stack ability for cupboard space efficiency;Rugged build for easy everyday use.
LEAD-FREE CORELLE WINTER FROST DISH WHITE LUNCH PLATES SET (8-1/2-INCH, 6-PIECE, WHITE)
This Lead and Cadmium free Corelle white winter frost Set includes: 6 Winter Frost White 8 1/2″ luncheon plates.The Soft gray borders give this dinnerware set its effortless, classic style.
They are also Microwave and oven use for versatility; Patterns won’t wash, wear, or scratch off. Break and chip resistance for carefree durability and Stackability for cupboard space efficiency.
WHERE IS FIESTAWARE MADE?
Where is Fiestaware made? Fiestaware was originally made in West Virginia (USA). Presently, it is still made in the USA.
The unique design attracted individuals and families, and started appearing on family tables in the year 1936. The pieces didn’t change until 1969.
In 1969, the company did some redesigns and the stopped producing in 1973. In 1986, the company produced and introduced a new Fiesta line.
Fiestaware is also lead-free. In 1992, a major manufacturing process change took place at Fiesta Tableware Company; all dinnerware produced for the retail and foodservice markets have been ‘lead-free’.
MEDIUM GREEN FIESTAWARE
Medium green from the 1960s is the rarest and most sought after color. It was one of the last of the colors the company made before they introduced the new Fiesta lines in the 1980s.
Medium Green, introduced as the eleventh Fiesta color in 1959, is a particularly difficult color to find, especially in serving pieces, so it will usually fetch a higher price.
Items that are particularly hard to find in medium green include the cream soup bowl and the six-inch dessert bowl.
Medium green Fiestaware is a very rear colour in Fiesta line. It is rear because it was produced for just ten year; from 1959-1969.
Most people find it difficult in identifying the medium green Fiestaware colour. Some say it’s a light green while others say it’s a forest green.
It is neither a light green nor a forest green. The medium green Fiestaware is a little bit darker than the light green and that is why it is called medium green.
FIESTAWARE IDENTIFICATION AND PRICE GUIDE
The Fiestaware identification and price guide is immensely helpful. This guide educates you on the worth of Fiestaware pieces. Below is the price guide;
| FIESTAWARE COLOR | DESCRIPTION | PRICE |
| Lemongrass | Fiesta 68 oz bistro serving bowl, large, Lemongrass | CHECK AMAZON |
| Poppy | Fiesta 4-piece setting, Poppy | CHECK AMAZON |
| Plum purple | Fiesta dinnerware 10 ½ inch dinner plate- Plum Purple | CHECK AMAZON |
| Cobalt | Fiesta 2-quart serving bowl, Cobalt | CHECK AMAZON |
| Scarlet | Fiesta 3-pc, classic dinnerware set Scarlet | CHECK AMAZON |
| White | Fiesta 4-piece place setting, White | CHECK AMAZON |
| Lapis | Fiesta 5 piece place setting, Lapis | CHECK AMAZON |
| Shamrock | Fiesta 5-piece place setting, Shamrock | CHECK AMAZON |
| Slate | Fiesta 38 oz, bistro bowl, medium, Slate | CHECK AMAZON |
| Tangerine | Fiesta 2-quart serving bowl, Tangerine | CHECK AMAZON |
FIESTA LOOK ALIKES
Nowadays, there are lots of fiesta ware look alike. You have to pay attention and look carefully whenever you want to purchase fiesta dinnerware sets.
In several instances just because you see a red or blue bright plate that might resemble Fiesta but is no where near it. Don’t allow manufacturers to confuse you.
To detect the Original fiestaware, there are certain indications you pay attention to, although this might not be prevalent in all fiestaware dinnerware sets. But they will guide you from the fake fiesta look alike.
HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT FIESTAWARE
Let’s begin with this simple principle so we avoid the fake fiesta look alike; Fiestaware marks appear in two ways: as a stamp underneath the glaze, or imprinted in the pottery itself as an in-mold mark.
The first way to detect the original fiestaware is to verify and look for backstamps. Simply flip the fiesta over and look on the underside. Most fine china is backstamped with the manufacturer’s Logo.
At this point we have to note that; The original Fiesta design and name were filed by Homer Laughlin China Company on March 20, 1937 (Patent No. 390-298). Below are pictures of the four most common backstamps.
Most Vintage Fiestawares have the symbol “H” appears on the debossed mark, it is definitely a post-1986 piece.
Another way to detect fake fiesta look alikes is that they are NEVER designed with a band of concentric rings graduating in width and the rings closest to the rim are most widely spaced.
For example , the old vintage fiestaware is marked with ink stamped on the bottom in all lower-case letters(“lower case fiestaware markings”). While some modern fiestaware may have in-mold mark where the logo is lowercase.
However, If the mark is an under-glaze stamp and the word “Fiesta” is entirely uppercase letters, the fiesta piece is modern.
Finally, whenever it comes to identifying the right fiestaware, we need to have this in mind;
- design and color
- the glaze color
- shape of the piece
- Fiesta mark
As you become progressively aware of the above, recognizing the original and fake fiesta look-alike will become a breeze for you!
HOW TO TELL IF FIESTAWARE IS LEAD FREE –BEST LEAD TEST KIT FOR DISHES
The need for lead-free dishes can’t be overemphasized, as man advances every day, we need to pay attention to what we eat and drink.
More importantly, pay attention to the plates, bowls, cups, or dinnerware sets we use daily as this can pose a hazard to us.
According to the United States, Environmental Protection Agency, the Health impact from lead exposure includes; learning disabilities, decreased intelligence, poor muscle coordination, constipation, sleeping disorder, high blood pressure, muscle and joint pain, birth defects, and damage to the nervous system and kidney.
Below are the ways to best test a dish for lead;
LEAD TEST KITS
The Lead test kits also known as lead check testing kits or sometimes called swab tests, are affordable and available online and in stores.
This test relies on the reagents in the test tube to have contact with the lead directly and then dissolves some of it. If the swab turns red or pink, there is a hazardous surface level of lead present.
This test is affordable and can be done at home however, the Center for Environmental Health warns that “the test may not detect lower but still significant lead levels, a negative result is still no guarantee that dishware is safe.”
LEAD TEST – X-RAY FLUORESCENCE (XRF)
Another way to test for lead in dishes is the XRF method. This is a fixed, non-destructive, and portable instrument use to measure lead in soil, paint, toys, and other objects. The XRF can determine if there is any lead in the object but doesn’t determine if the lead leaches out.
LEACH TESTING LEAD TEST
The third method to test for lead is the laboratory test. With this method, the FDA uses to determine how much lead is in an object. Lead can become leachable due to the manufacturing process, cracks or chips, or even regular use in the microwave or dishwasher.
An acetic acid solution is applied and allowed to sit over a 24-hour period. An atomic absorption spectrometer is then used to measure any lead content.
CONCLUSION
As you have seen from this article, that there are various ways on how to tell if Fiestaware is lead free. It is left for you to know which method is affordable and will give you the desired result needed.
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