Updated: 2005-11-29
BACKGROUND:
Imported and domestic ceramic ware has been found to have significant quantities of extractable cadmium. The metal is extractable by acid foods and could cause chronic cadmium poisoning under continued food use.
REGULATORY ACTION GUIDANCE:
The following criteria should be considered when deciding to recommend legal action or to detain imports to CFSAN/Office of *Compliance*/Division of Enforcement (HFS-605):
The article:
Category | Criteria | Guidelines micrograms/mL |
---|---|---|
Flatware | Average of 6 units | 0.5 |
Small Hollowware | any one of 6 units | 0.5 |
Large Hollowware | any one of 6 units | 0.25 |
The categories of ceramic articles, flatware and hollowware used in the preparation, serving or storage of food, are defined as follows:
Flatware: ceramic articles which have an internal depth, as measured from the lowest point to the horizontal plane passing through the upper rim, that does not exceed 25 mm.
Hollowware: ceramic articles having an internal depth, as measured from the lowest point to the horizontal plane passing through the upper rim, greater than 25 mm.
Small hollowware: a capacity of less than 1.1 liter.
Large hollowware: a capacity of 1.1 liter or more.
NOTE: The article may be considered unsuitable for food use if:
SPECIMEN CHARGE:
Article (Flatware)(Hollowware) adulterated (when introduced into and while in interstate commerce)(while held for sale after shipment in interstate commerce), within meaning of Section 402(a)(2)(C) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act in that it contains a food additive, namely cadmium, which is unsafe within the meaning of Section 409(a) because its use and intended use are not in conformity with a regulation or exemption established pursuant to Section 409.
REMARKS:
If all lots in an entry were sampled using an invoice on a line by line basis, detain only those lots meeting the above criteria.
If only one lot (line item) was sampled and meets the above criteria, the entire entry may be detained without further analysis.
RELEASE OF IMPORT DETENTIONS:
Upon analysis or other examination by the importer to demonstrate suitability
for release, the articles may be released on a lot by lot basis with checks
by the district laboratory to determine compliance.
Release may be based on labeling of the article as for other than food use
when:
Release based on any other labeling conditions must have prior clearance of the CFSAN/Office of *Compliance*/Division of Enforcement (HFS-605).
EXEMPTION:
Non-food service plates will not be required to meet the guideline for dinnerware. These include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following types of plates manufactured solely for ornamental display purposes: commemorative plates, souvenir plates, hand-painted plates, and other highly decorated plates, provided that they do not come in place settings for the table and provided further that there is a permanent label on the back or base of the plate stating, "Not for Food Use - Article May Poison Food," or a hole is bored through the food contact surface.
*Material between asterisks is new or revised.*
Issued: 10/1/80
Revised: 6/27/88, 3/95, 12/12/95 (60 FR 63721), 5/2005