Updated 09/11/2026: As part of Mayco’s commitment to education, we are proactively updating and transitioning the terminology used to describe dinnerware and food-contact suitability, as outlined below. These updates represent a change in terminology only. Product formulations, performance, and intended uses have not changed.
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, particularly the word “safe,” can be interpreted differently depending on an artist’s language, country, regulatory environment, and local compliance requirements. These changes are intended to improve the clarity, accuracy, and consistency of product information within today’s evolving global regulatory landscape.
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:
Please note: it is NOT illegal for a foodware item to contain traces of lead or cadmium as long as these substances test below the thresholds established in these guidelines.
Mayco is a proud member of the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI), an international association of more than 200 art, craft, and creative materials manufacturers dedicated to promoting safety and education through its certification program. For more than 80 years, ACMI has certified art materials through its Approved Product (AP) Seal, indicating products are non-injurious when used as intended. In 1982, the program expanded to include a broader range of art materials, including products requiring health caution statements, which bear the Cautionary Labeling (CL) Seal.
Products bearing ACMI’s AP or CL Seal undergo extensive toxicological review by board-certified toxicologists and are certified to be labeled in accordance with ASTM D4236, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), and the U.S. Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA). Mayco products will continue to be labeled with ACMI’s AP or CL seals, providing consumers with confidence that our products have been independently reviewed and appropriately labeled for safety.
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.
It means the fired surface is intended for food-contact use when the product is used and fired according to the manufacturer’s directions. This includes a fired surface that is chemically durable and free of surface texture that could be difficult to clean or fragile to the touch.
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.
No. AP and CL seals are certifications by The Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI), of which Mayco is a proud member of.
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.
The term “safe” is interpreted differently throughout the world and can create confusion. Regulatory agencies, manufacturers, distributors, and consumers may all define the term differently. By focusing on measurable characteristics such as chemical durability, surface texture, food-contact suitability, and compliance with established U.S. FDA ceramic guidelines, Mayco can provide clearer information and reduce misunderstandings.
“Non-Toxic” and “Lead-Free” have traditionally been used in the U.S. arts and crafts industry to communicate product safety, but these terms are increasingly restricted by regulations and subject to legal scrutiny. For example, E.U. CLP regulations restrict or prohibit the use of “non-toxic” and similar safety claims, while recent U.S. litigation has prompted many companies to reevaluate their use of these types of terms. To improve clarity and align with global requirements, Mayco is replacing “Non-Toxic” with more specific descriptions, such as “Approved for artists of all ages” for ACMI AP-Certified products. While Mayco does not use lead compounds as ingredients, products will no longer be labeled “Lead-Free.” These changes do not affect product formulations.
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
Surface texture can make ware harder to clean and may allow food or liquids to remain in the surface or underlying clay body, especially if the clay body is not vitrified (cone 5-10/1186-1285°C/2167-2345°F). This can affect the long-term usability of functional dinnerware.
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!