CPG Sec. 545.450 Pottery (Ceramics); Import 
and Domestic - Lead Contamination 
BACKGROUND: 
Some ceramic foodwares have been found to leach significant quantities of lead from potential 
food contact surfaces. The metal is extractable by foods and can cause a wide variety of adverse 
health effects including the traditional effects of chronic lead poisoning under continued food 
use. 
REGULATORY ACTION GUIDANCE: 
The following represents the criteria that should be considered in deciding whether to 
recommend legal action or to detain imports to the CFSAN/Office of *Compliance*/Division of 
Enforcement (HFS-605): 
The article: 
1.  Is suitable for use with foods, and 
2.  Contains upon examination of 6 units a level of lead per mL of leaching solution 
exceeding the guideline by category specified, as examined by the current editions of 
ASTM method C738 (volume 15.02, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, American 
Society for Testing and Materials), AOAC methods 973.32 and 973.82 (Official Methods 
of Analysis, AOAC International), or FDA Laboratory Information Bulletin Numbers 
4123 and 4126 (US Food and Drug Administration, *Office of Regulatory Science*, 
Rockville, MD 20857). 
Category  Criteria  Guidelines micrograms/mL 
Flatware  average of 6 units 3.0 
Small Hollowware other than cups and mugs  any one of 6 units 2.0 
Cups/mugs  any one of 6 units 0.5 
Large Hollowware other than pitchers  any one of 6 units 1.0 
Pitchers  any one of 6 units 0.5 
The categories of ceramic articles 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 which have an internal depth 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. 
Cups and mugs: small ceramic hollowware vessels commonly used for consumption of 
beverages, for example, coffee or tea at above room temperature. Cups and mugs normally, but 
not exclusively, have a capacity of about 240 mL or 8 fl. oz. and are manufactured with a handle. 
Cups normally have a base and curved sides while a mug has cylindrical sides. 
Pitchers: large ceramic hollowware vessels (sometimes known as jugs) commonly used for the 
storage and dispensing of fruit and vegetable juices or other acidic beverages at or below room 
temperature which are normally manufactured without a lid but with a handle and lip spout. For 
the purpose of this guideline, creamers, coffeepots, and teapots are not considered to be pitchers. 
Depending on capacity, creamers, coffeepots and teapots will be considered small or large 
hollowware. 
NOTE: In accordance with 21 CFR 109.16(b), the article will be considered unsuitable for food 
use if: 
1.  It bears:  
a.  A conspicuous stick-on label on a surface clearly visible to consumers that states 
in legible script in letters at least 3.2 mm (0.125 inches) in height one of the 
following messages: "Not for Food Use. May Poison Food," "Not for Food-Use. 
Glaze contains lead. Food Use May Result in Lead Poisoning," or "Not for Food 
Use -Food Consumed from this Vessel [Plate] May be Harmful," and 
b.  A conspicuous and legible permanent statement of the message selected from the 
above paragraph molded or fired onto the exterior surface of the base or, when the 
ceramicware is not fired after decoration, permanently painted onto the exterior 
surface of the base. This permanent statement is in letters at least 3.2 mm (0.125 
inches) in height; 
or 
2.  A hole is bored through the potential food-contact surface. 
SPECIMEN CHARGE:  Article (Flatware) (Hollowware) (Cups and Mugs) (Pitchers) 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 lead, 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 appropriate ORA laboratory to 
determine compliance. 
Release may be based on labeling the article for other than food use in compliance with 21 CFR 
109.16(b). 
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 guidelines for dinnerware. These 
include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following types of articles manufactured solely for 
ornamental display purposes: commemorative plates, souvenir plates, hand-painted plates, and 
other highly decorated plates, provided the article is in compliance with 21 CFR 109.16(b). 
*Material between asterisks is new or revised * 
Issued: 10/1/80 
Revised: 4/16/92, 12/12/95 (60 FR 63721), 5/2005 
Updated: 11/29/05