If you are a potter who creates functional pieces that come into contact with food and drink, it is important to understand what makes pottery food safe and how you can ensure that your pieces are safe for use. In this article, we will explore the chemicals and types of clay that make pottery food safe, as well as how you can use food safe stamps to label your pottery and let your clients know about it.

What Makes Pottery Food Safe?

Pottery is considered to be food safe if it does not contain any harmful chemicals that can leach into food and drink. This includes chemicals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic, which can cause serious health problems if ingested. To ensure that pottery is food safe, it must be made from materials that do not contain these harmful chemicals.

Chemicals in Pottery

Lead is one of the most common chemicals found in pottery. It is used as a glaze component to create a glossy finish, but it can leach into food and drink and cause serious health problems. Cadmium and arsenic are also sometimes found in pottery, although they are less common than lead.

Types of Clay

The type of clay used to make pottery can also affect its food safety. Stoneware and porcelain are generally considered to be the most food safe types of clay, as they are fired at high temperatures that make them less porous and less likely to leach chemicals. Earthenware, on the other hand, is more porous and is more likely to leach chemicals.

Using Food Safe Stamps

One way to ensure that your pottery is food safe is to use food safe stamps to label your pieces. Food safe stamps are stamps that have been specifically designed to indicate that the pottery on which they are used is safe for food contact. These stamps are made from materials that are non-toxic and safe to use on ceramics that will come into contact with food and drink.

When using food safe stamps, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully to ensure that the stamp is applied correctly and that the pottery is labeled accurately. Food safe stamps can be used on a wide range of pottery, including ceramic clay, polymer clay, metal clay, and soap.

Using food safe stamps on your pottery not only helps to ensure that your pieces are safe for use, but it also lets your clients know that they are purchasing a product that has been made with their safety in mind. Labeling your pottery as food safe can also help to increase customer confidence in your brand and may lead to repeat business.

Conclusion

In conclusion, creating food safe pottery is important for the health and safety of your clients. To ensure that your pottery is food safe, it is important to use materials that do not contain harmful chemicals and to choose the right type of clay for your project. Additionally, using food safe stamps to label your pottery is an effective way to communicate to your clients that your pieces are safe for use with food and drink. By taking these steps, you can create pottery that is both beautiful and safe for your clients to use and enjoy.