
Many health-conscious people often wonder whether melamine dinnerware is microwave safe or not. Let us ponder on this pressing concern of the new age, and find out the answer, by going through this HomeQuicks article.
A melamine dinner set comes in vibrant colors and trendy designs, and is unbreakable in spite of daily wear and tear. Also, they are light in weight, and easy to clean and store as well. These features make melamine a popular choice for dinnerware. However, in today’s age of microwave cooking, we’ve had this urge to use it for heating food in the microwave.
It has become a matter of concern for many people after its use was reported to be the cause of deaths for some children and pets in the early 21st century. Since then, there have been many question marks on the safety of using them in the microwaves. So, is it really safe to use? Before knowing about its safety, first let us take a look at what melamine is.
If it absorbs enough heat, it will become unstable and release bubbles as it breaks down in structure. It contains nitrogen that does not allow it to burn. Thus, it just breaks down to its original elements urea and cyromazine. These two compounds are extremely dangerous and highly toxic.
Experts have found melamine to be harmful when inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that when melamine and cyanuric acid enters the bloodstream it forms crystals that can block the renal tubes, leading to kidney damage or even failure. Thus, heating it in a microwave oven is a big no no!
- You should not use these dishes to feed infants and children.
- You should never heat food or drinks in a melamine dish, bowl, or cup.
- You should never use melamine in microwave ovens until and unless it has been clearly marked ‘microwave safe’.
So, now that you know about the safety, there is no need to throw your dinnerware in the garbage. All you need is to make sure that you exert some caution while using them. Remember, as long as you do not heat anything in this dinnerware, it is safe to use. So, enjoy your dinner in your melamine plates and bowls. Simply remember to keep them away from your microwave.