[Release of toxic agents from ceramic utensils]

Under the influence of acidic agents, ceramic glazes and decorations for ceramics may release certain toxicants, especially lead and cadmium. Both elements are essential constituents of ceramic colours and glazes; their release to acidic foods is technologically unavoidable, but it may be minimized by the utilization of appropriate decoration agents and techniques. In most industrial countries, the release of toxicants from utensils is severely limited, the maximum permissible values and the methods of test and analysis being in part very different and not always in agreement with the demands and conditions of practice. The problems related to the release of toxicants from ceramic utensils are treated from the aspects of ceramics, test techniques, analytics, toxicology and food law, with special regard to the necessity for a well-balanced compromise between the justified hygienic demands of health protection and the actual technological possibilities. The endeavours of the ceramic industry of the GDF to produce ceramic utensils releasing as little toxicants as possible are outlined.