lead fork: enjoy!

Posted on August 26, 2007
Filed Under Pronouncement |

News in Thailand is that flatware made in China contains high quantities of lead (plumbum).  This is especially true of the most inexpensive brands, according to Thai news.  I am sure I do not need to mention that we have had difficulty with other Chinese imports.  In Thailand, they are finding children and adults with high levels of lead in their systems due to the Chinese flatware.  In some cases, this has led (no pun) to poisoning and possible brain damage. 

Lead is leached from flatware or other kitchen goods when they are heated or exposed to acid.  Thai cuisine makes much use of lime juice and other acidic ingredients.  Eating a tomato or stirring coffee would be enough to release the lead from your fork or spoon.  A quick trip to the local kitchen store or "big box" will demonstrate that nearly all flatware currently available in the US is made in China.  The ones not made in China are usually made in Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea or elsewhere in Asia.  My recommendation: Don't buy the cheap forks!

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