My clients go through a session with me where we talk about ensuring the right kitchen tools and utensils and devices. After all the kitchen tools determine how easy it becomes to prepare foods… which is YOUR best fuel source because it’s homemade and fresh. The easier it is to get in/out of the kitchen, the more likely that the fuel source remains optimal.
Over the last few years, I’ve been reading about the dangers of melamine. It’s a sturdy plastic substance used throughout the world for cuts, plates, bowls, and utensils. It’s dishwasher safe and affordable, so very popular. I saw it being used for EVERYTHING in Asia, and was reluctant to use it because I’m familiar with chemical leaching when using hot foods/drinks on plastic. The designs and colors are so fabulous that everyone was buying and using this ultra-convenient substance. So, I gave in and decided to only use it for foods/beverages that were not hot.
Unfortunately the latest studies show that my decision was a bad one, and this blog is going to continue making melamine a bad word…. Read on.
- In 2007 melamine was illegally added to pet foods to “enhance” protein counts in nutrition labels. It causes early disease and deaths for pets in North America. What did we learn? That people will do anything to make money, including put harm in our loved ones’ way.
- In 2008 melamine was discovered to be the CAUSE of an outbreak of kidney stones and kidney failure for infants & young children in China where it was used in infant formula and powdered milk to “enhance” protein counts… hundreds of thousands were negatively impacted.
- In 2010 I noticed melamine dishware being sold in stores in the US with no warnings about chemical leaching. I knew that using it with hot foods and beverages were a no-go; I also knew that using it in the microwave was not a good idea. What I didn’t realize is that there is chemical leaching into foods that are warm also. Why is this important? Because even low levels of melamine exposure “is significantly associated with kidney function deterioration…”
So, today I lean more on other tableware sources like glass, ceramics, porcelain, and stainless-steel. In fact if you were to come to my home for dinner, I might actually serve you a traditional Indian meal in stainless steel plates, bowls, and glasses! These traditional Indian tableware has stuck with me since the beginning of time, and I love them.
In the last decade, silicone has become a major player in spatulas, ladles, and other utensils. This is far better than the plastic predecessors, which leached chemicals into hot foods.
The take-away is that if you haven’t had a kitchen tool make-over in a while; there are much better materials out there now for table-ware and utensils. Splurge and do the make-over. Your improved health will be thanks enough!
