Updated 09/11/2026: Mayco has updated the language used to describe dinnerware and food-contact suitability on our products, website, and printed materials.
Historically, terms such as “Food Safe” and “Dinnerware Safe” were used to help consumers understand how products could be used. Over time, however, we found that these terms, and especially the word “safe,” can have different meanings depending on an artist’s language, country, regulatory environment, and local compliance requirements. To provide greater clarity and consistency worldwide, Mayco is transitioning to more specific descriptions.
These updates represent a change in wording only. Product formulations, performance characteristics, firing recommendations, and uses have not changed.
When fired according to the manufacturer’s instructions, glaze is suitable for dinnerware; chemically durable, absent of surface texture, and compliant with U.S. FDA guides for ceramics CPG Sec. 545.400 and CPG Sec. 545.450. Finishedware producers bear responsibility for food-contact testing of ware sold into commerce.
Use a compatible clear glaze or other glaze suitable for dinnerware to achieve a surface that is chemically durable, absent of surface texture, and compliant with U.S. FDA guides for ceramics CPG Sec. 545.400 and CPG Sec. 545.450. Finishedware producers bear responsibility for food-contact testing of ware sold into commerce.
These glazes are intended for decorative use. Not recommended for the food-contact or lip and rim areas of dinnerware due to surface texture and/or chemical durability. Finishedware producers bear responsibility for food-contact testing of ware sold into commerce.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues a series of Compliance Policy Guides (CPG) that explain policy on regulatory issues related to the FDA laws or regulations specific to ceramic products and supplies:
The Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) is an international association of more than 200 art, craft and creative material manufacturers seeking to promote education in art and creative products through its certification program. For over 80 years, the ACMI program for children’s art materials has certified that these products are non-injurious using the AP Seal. In 1982, the program was expanded to include a much broader range of art materials, including adult products, ensuring that they are non-injurious (AP Seal) or carry appropriate health warning labels (CL Seal) where necessary.
The Approved Product (AP) Seal identifies art materials that are certified in a toxicological evaluation by a board-certified toxicologist (medical expert) to contain no materials in sufficient quantities as a wet glaze to be toxic or injurious to humans, including children, or to cause acute or chronic health problems.
The Cautionary Labeling (CL) Seal identifies products that are certified to be properly labeled in a program of toxicological evaluation by a board-certified toxicologist (medical expert) for any known health risks and with information on the proper use of these materials as a wet glaze. These products are also certified by ACMI to be labeled in accordance with the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D4236, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) including the U.S. Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA). These products should never be given to children age 12 and under, or anyone who for any reason is unable to read, understand or implement safety labeling and instructions.
Visit our color pages to find out if the glaze you are using is FDA Compliant or Suitable for Dinnerware. FDA Compliance and Suitable for Dinnerware can always be found in the seafoam green box on the color pages. You can also find that information on individual product pages, in our new color brochures or on the label of your product.*
*Note: we are currently updating this information on all color pages and brochures and will take time. We appreciate your understanding and patience.
It can. Some glazes that are not recommended for low-fire dinnerware may become more appropriate at mid-range or high-fire temperatures if the clay body is vitrified (cone 5-10/1186-1285°C/2167-2345°F), and the fired surface becomes smooth and chemically durable. Always follow the product-specific guidance from MaycoColors.com and the product label.
If the glaze is not recommended for food-contact areas, it may be used decoratively on areas that do not touch food or drink, such as the outside of a bowl or below the lip line of a mug. We recommend using a glaze suitable for dinnerware on the inside and rim areas.
Only use this approach when the product is specifically identified as suitable for dinnerware with clear glaze or another compatible glaze suitable for dinnerware. You can find this information on the individual color pages or the product label. A clear glaze does not automatically make every decorative-use glaze suitable for food-contact areas.
Not necessarily. Cutlery marks are generally an appearance concern. Mayco dinnerware guidance focuses on chemical durability and surface characteristics, such as texture, cracks, or crevices that could be difficult to clean.
We cannot provide medical advice. If you have health concerns or symptoms, please contact a healthcare professional or Poison Control. For future use, decorative-use glazes should not be used on food-contact and lip, or rim areas
A vitrified clay body has matured through firing so it is less porous. This is typical with mid-range and high-fire clay bodies (cone 5-10/1186-1285°C/2167-2345°F). Vitrification matters because a porous piece with cracks or surface texture may absorb water or liquids and can be harder to use and clean as functional ware. We recommend following the firing recommendations of your clay body and using test cones that confirm your ware reached the proper temperature for vitrification.
Not automatically. Layering, mixing, clay body, application thickness, firing temperature, and firing atmosphere can change the final surface. Finishedware producers bear responsibility for food-contact testing of ware sold into commerce.
Glaze combinations are shared for inspiration and education. Because ceramic results vary by clay body, application, firing temperature, and kiln conditions, Mayco cannot guarantee every layered result for every studio and every piece.
Mayco can provide guidance about our products when used according to manufacturer’s directions, but Mayco cannot certify finished pieces made by every artist, studio, or manufacturer. The choice of clay body, thickness of glaze application, firing process, and temperature will affect the fired results. Finishedware producers bear responsibility for food-contact testing of ware sold into commerce. The following are some suggested services that can test your ware.
Questions? Reach out to our team!