Grrr - Pfaltzgraff recall!

[tinatark]

I looked FOREVER for dishes I liked, in the colors/style we wanted - when I found them, I bought a ton - 12 place settings, serving pieces, etc. Went into Pfaltzgraff today and the plates and bowls have been recalled for high lead content! They have replaced the plate within the set, but it doesn't match (it "coordinates with the other stuff, I guess, but my kitchen/dining room is gold/blue, which is why I chose this set!)- this is the old plate -

And this is the new one -

This is the "old" place setting - the new plate just doesn't go!

I will be calling the recall line on Monday... I made a list of the pieces I have, and unless they can replace the plates with the same pattern I have now, they're going to have to replace everything I have. I am sure they will do what it takes - they have a "potters pledge" that they replace your first broken item for half price - I broke one of my Christmas plates, they had discontinued the line, looked on ebay, etc. on the internet, and couldn't find one, so sent me a new set of dishes - 4 place settings and 2 serving pieces... but in the meantime, there isn't another pattern I like there!

 

[KathyTX]

How frustrating.

Gotta say that I LOVE that pattern you chose (the old plate)!!!

 

[famofsix]

don't feel too bad my whole set is so crappy it was the first set made in Thailand. They discontinued as soon as I got it. It scratches so much that they sent me special flatware and it still scratches. Even their own cleaner does not clean it. It is Amalfi Mediterranean. I would LOVE if it was recalled.

 

[tinatark]

They're not gonna like me - I just added up the pieces I have - close to $1k. There's no way I will just get new plates - the design/color combo of the plates is the main reason I bought the dishes!

 

[famofsix]

what else can you do?

 

[luvmy3]

I like the one they replaced it with, but I would be upset to if I had the set you do. The new one isn't really the same style as the recalled one, its too modern to go with the set you have.

 

[HelenePA]

what else can you do?

Not eat the plates? does lead contaminate stuff you put on it or is it one of those "just in case" things?

 

[OceanAnnie]

Not eat the plates? does lead contaminate stuff you put on it or is it one of those "just in case" things?

I'm pretty sure the lead can leech into the food. It happens especially when the food is microwaved on the plate.

 

[famofsix]

http://pfaltzgraff.com/shop/brandpatterns.asp?pid=367&from=brpatterns

I am not sure if it is the same blue or not the one plate in your set have the white middle

 

[CJBaby]

When I bought my Villeroy and Boch set I remember it said something about having a high lead content. I remember laughing at it. Now that I have kids, I ONLY serve them from my Pfaltzgraff set because I'm so freaked out by the lead. Now I'm worried that my Pfaltzgraff set has lead too!

(And I can't believe they're trying to replace your awesome set with those squiggly line dishes!)

 

[lovetoscrap]

Those are beautiful! Total bummer about the replacement, I like it but you are right, it jsut doesn't go. Wonder why they can't just make the original pattern without the lead?

 

[Tiggeroo]

I would have to complain. They just aren't the same thing. I'd ask if you can choose something else in the same price range.

 

[tinatark]

This is the blue. I wish they had these in a gold, too, and I would mix them up. The Orleans is the right color, too, but it also has the dark green thrown in there.
http://pfaltzgraff.com/shop/brandpatterns.asp?pid=897

Pfaltzgraff has several sets they made to coordinate - Villa Della Luna, Pistoulet and one other set. I would coordinate within each set, but not to a totally different one - I have 3 different types of soup/cereal bowls, 2 appetizer plates, etc. The dinner plates are the thing that pulled most of them together - and have the colors I use in the kitchen/dining room - walls are gold striped flat/semi gloss, with blue/gold swirled drapes (dining) and valance (attached kitchen) - so whatever I get needs to have those colors.

If I have to switch patterns, I may switch to Pistoulet - it has a lot of "mixing" options, and I wouldn't have to switch all my serving pieces, too.

http://pfaltzgraff.com/shop/brandpatterns.asp?pid=370

I really hope I am stressing over nothing - I have dealt with their customer service before and was VERY happy, so maybe it hasn't drastically changed since then!

 

[LadyyRedd]

I have to say that I really love the new plate!

But I do agree that they don't go with the set you have.

Hope it works out!

Kimya

 

[cabanafrau]

I will never buy Pfaltzgraff dishes again. It took me 3 years to decide what to buy because I first selected a gorgeous pattern, Evening Sunflower, which I realized wouldn't work because the plates are so large they wouldn't fit in my cupboards & would have only allowed me to use one side of the bottom rack of the dishwasher. After about a year of searching for something I liked, I decided to be boring & selected their Cappucino pattern. I bought a sample plate at the outlet, tried it out at home & decided it worked. About a year and a half later I finally got back to purchase the settings & serving pieces, again at the outlet, which is a few hours from home.

When I finally unpacked it at home, I thought it looked a little pale, but decided it was only because I had truly wanted the Sunflower pattern. I was also shocked to read "made in China" on the bottoms when I was washing it. After we had used the plates I realized they scratch & mar badly, aren't level & are actually a different tone than the sample plate which I originally purchased, which is "made in USA". I hate, loathe & abominate these dishes & cannot wait to find something I actually want so I can bring myself to replace what cost me hundreds.

Obviously quality control wasn't deemed necessary when they moved production overseas.

 

[Imzadi]

OP, what you can do if you really want to keep the old plate is to place a clear glass plate over it and simply eat off the glass plate. Use the Pfaltzgraff as a charger plate. You won't be able to use the bowls at all, though.

However, if you do keep the old lead-based plates, will everyone know to use them with the glass plates? And will they stick to that rule? What happens if you pass the plates on?

As much as you love the design, it really would be safer to replace them.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Professional ceramic artist / potter here. I make all of my own glazes. I know extensive chemistry & knowledge of what constitutes a safe, foodsafe glaze. The reason they can't just replace the plate with another one that looks just like it is that glazes & underglazes are not like paints. You cant exactly duplicate a color and paint it over another color and have an exact match, especially if the glaze recipes are very different.

Lead based recipes are as different as paprika is to cinnamon. Just because they are the same color, you can't put them both in hot chocolate & expect the same taste result. Or it's also like baking soda is not the same as baking powder. Same for glazes. It's not as easy as just taking out lead. Just like a cake has to have the proper number of eggs, the right amounts of chemicals have to be used to create a SAFE glaze. Otherwise there could be a lot of leaching of many of the chemicals, rendering them not food safe.

OP, what you can do if you really want to keep the old plate is to place a clear glass plate over it and simply eat off the glass plate. Use the Pfaltzgraff as a charger plate. You won't be able to use the bowls at all, though.

However, if you do keep the old lead-based plates, will everyone know to use them with the glass plates? And will they stick to that rule? What happens if you pass the plates on?

As much as you love the design, it really would be safer to replace them.






Yes, lead can leech into the foods. No, it has nothing to do with microwaving the plate. It's the nature of the chemical. For centuries, many people died from lead leaching into foods, or from using lead in paints and having it absorbed through the hands. Acidic foods can draw out the lead faster. However an unstable glaze, one that is not chemically sound, can leach out many chemicals.

It's hard to explain. Plates & glazes look solid, impervious and waterproof, but as technology becomes more advanced and we are able to examine the chemical composition of glazes, we realize many of the chemicals remain very soft and can leach or break down in composition over time and we have to adjust the glazes accordingly. Some glazes are so unstable that a lemon slice left on a plate or some vinegar left in a bowl or cup for a couple of days can literally change the color of the glaze. Never use an item for anything other than decoration after this has happened.

Lead is just too soft a chemical. It's unfortunate that it also produces some of the most wonderful colors in glazes & paints.

The U.S. has stiff regulations against lead ever being able to be used in glazes used for foods. I would never buy a ceramic item from another country (except Britain) as they may not have the same safety regulations. I don't care how beautiful the item. You just can't be too sure. I pass on anything that says "Made in China" on the bottom. I also don't buy the beautiful Italian or Spanish handpainted ware for food items.

And please don't use items not created for food as food items. I heard this horrible story of a woman who bought a beautiful handpainted vase and used it as a carafe instead to store her orange juice in. She poured orange juice from it every morning for her son. He developed lead poisoning and died.

Sad story about the little boy. I used to watch a lady I worked with microwave plastic Cool Whip bowls that contained her lunch. (I had a microwave in my office.) The plastic would bubble. I told her it wasn't microwave safe and that the plastic was getting into her food. She didn't want to change her habit. I don't usually tell someone what to do, but I mentioned it for her health. I wish she had listened.

In the past, I have read where lead can leach from dishes that are microwaved. Here is one source I found this morning. It makes sense to me that the heat would break down the components and release the lead into the food. I don't know. I'm no expert. But the information is out there for the public FWIW.

http://ww2.cdph.ca.gov/programs/CLPPB/Pages/TalkPts-ltw.aspx

 

[Imzadi]

Oh, btw, coffee or tea staining a cup does not necessarily mean it's unsafe. That's just the coffee getting stuck in the minisule texturing of the glaze surface. A good scrubbing with a Brillo pad will remove the coffee or tea.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Imzadi, you're welcome for the link. Thank you for the lemon and vinegar tests. I'm compiling my ever growing grocery list. Lemons are now on it.

I saw an Oprah show years ago that was eye opening. It was about lead and microwaveable tableware/storage items. There were experts testing the products and found many to be unsafe. Many of the items were labeled "microwave safe" that weren't. It was jarring.

OT- Plastics are another huge issue. They can leach into foods just as metals. I use plastics, but not for microwaving even if they are marked "microwave safe". There has been research published about plastics (certain plastics used for baby bottles too). I know very little about it, just enough to be cautious. Anyway, I take foods out of plastic containers and put them in my own glass container. I feel safer doing it.

 

[nephthys43]

aaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! that's the same set i chose!!!