Certification guide · 2026-05-28

Safety Standards & Certifications for Handmade Food-Contact Items

FDA regulations, lead and cadmium testing, and food-safe material standards for handmade ceramics, cutting boards, utensils, and other items that touch food. What makers need to know and what buyers should ask.

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Why this matters

Handmade ceramics, wooden cutting boards, metal utensils, and other items that come into contact with food are regulated by the FDA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The core requirement is straightforward: food-contact materials must not transfer harmful substances to food under normal conditions of use. For handmade items, the primary concerns are lead and cadmium in ceramic glazes, food-safe finishes on wood and metal, and ensuring that decorative elements on food-contact surfaces are safe. California's Proposition 65 adds additional requirements for products sold in that state.

Key standards and certifications

These are the primary regulatory frameworks and voluntary certifications relevant to food-contact items. Requirements vary by jurisdiction — sellers should verify which apply to their specific products and markets.

FDA Food-Contact Materials

U.S. FDA

21 CFR Parts 170-199 — Indirect Food Additives (Food-Contact Substances)

Regulates substances used in materials that contact food, including ceramics, metals, wood, plastics, and coatings. The FDA maintains lists of approved food-contact substances and sets specific limits for substances that can migrate from food-contact materials into food.

For handmade sellers: If you sell mugs, bowls, plates, cutting boards, serving utensils, or any item marketed for food use, the FDA's requirements apply. For ceramics, this primarily means ensuring your glazes do not leach lead or cadmium above FDA Action Levels. For wood items, it means using finishes classified as food-safe. The FDA does not pre-certify products but can take enforcement action against non-compliant items.

Lead leaching limits (FDA Compliance Policy Guide): flatware 0.5 ppm, small hollowware 1.0 ppm, large hollowware 2.0 ppm, cups/mugs 0.5 ppm
Cadmium leaching limits: flatware 0.25 ppm, small hollowware 0.5 ppm, large hollowware 1.0 ppm, cups/mugs 0.25 ppm
Food-contact surfaces must not impart odor, taste, or color to food under normal use
Materials must be suitable for their intended use conditions (temperature, acidity, duration of contact)
Decorative elements on food-contact surfaces must use food-safe materials

California Proposition 65

California OEHHA / private enforcement

The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986

Requires businesses to provide clear warnings before knowingly exposing anyone in California to chemicals listed as known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. The list includes over 900 chemicals. For food-contact handmade items, the most relevant listed chemicals are lead and cadmium, certain ceramic glaze components, and some wood finishes.

For handmade sellers: If you sell products in California (including online sales to California buyers), Proposition 65 may apply to your products. The warning thresholds for lead and cadmium are significantly stricter than the FDA Action Levels. Many ceramic sellers include Prop 65 warnings as a precaution, but thorough glaze testing can help you determine whether warnings are actually required for your specific products.

Warning requirement triggered when daily lead exposure exceeds 0.5 micrograms (oral) — much stricter than FDA Action Levels
Warning requirement triggered when daily cadmium exposure exceeds 4.1 micrograms (oral)
Warnings must be 'clear and reasonable' — specific format requirements apply as of 2018 regulations
Businesses with fewer than 10 employees are exempt from the warning requirement (but not from the underlying exposure limits)
Private citizens can file enforcement actions (bounty hunter lawsuits), making this a practical risk even for small sellers

ASTM C738 / C927

Testing standard (used by FDA, voluntary for self-testing)

ASTM C738 (Lead/Cadmium from Glazed Ceramic Surfaces) and C927 (from Ceramic Ware Lip/Rim)

Standardized test methods for measuring the amount of lead and cadmium that leaches from glazed ceramic food-contact surfaces. C738 covers the overall food-contact surface; C927 specifically tests the rim/lip area of drinking vessels (where mouth contact occurs).

For handmade sellers: These are the test methods you would use (or that a testing lab would use) to determine whether your ceramic glazes meet FDA lead and cadmium limits. If you are a ceramic artist selling food-contact pieces, getting representative samples tested using these methods provides concrete evidence of compliance. Testing labs typically charge $50-150 per sample for lead/cadmium leaching tests.

ASTM C738: 24-hour leach test using 4% acetic acid solution at room temperature on the food-contact surface
ASTM C927: same acetic acid extraction applied specifically to the rim/lip area of cups and mugs
Results are reported in ppm (parts per million) and compared against FDA Action Levels
Test should be performed on the actual finished product (not just the glaze before firing)
Representative samples from your production should be tested — different firing temperatures, kiln positions, and glaze thicknesses can affect results

NSF/ANSI 2 — Food Equipment

NSF International (voluntary)

NSF/ANSI 2 — Food Equipment (Voluntary Certification)

Voluntary certification standard for food equipment materials, design, fabrication, and performance. Primarily used in commercial food service but increasingly referenced by informed consumers for home kitchen items. Certifies that food-contact materials are safe and cleanable.

For handmade sellers: Full NSF certification is typically overkill for handmade kitchen items, but understanding NSF standards can help you make better material choices. NSF maintains lists of approved food-contact materials. If you are making cutting boards, utensils, or serving items from unusual materials, checking NSF's material listings can help confirm food-contact suitability.

Materials must not impart flavor, odor, color, or harmful substances to food
Surfaces must be smooth, non-absorbent, and cleanable
Materials must withstand normal use conditions including cleaning chemicals and temperatures
Full certification requires facility inspection and periodic product testing
NSF mark is widely recognized as a food-safety indicator

What buyers should look for

Questions and checks that help you buy handmade products with confidence.

For ceramics (mugs, bowls, plates), ask the seller whether their glazes have been tested for lead and cadmium leaching — responsible potters test their glazes.
Be cautious of decorative ceramics repurposed for food use — pieces made for display may use glazes that are not food-safe.
For wooden cutting boards and utensils, ask what finish is used. Food-safe options include mineral oil, beeswax, walnut oil, and specific food-grade polymerized finishes.
Check whether the seller mentions 'food-safe' or 'food-grade' in their product description — and note that these are meaningful distinctions, not just marketing language.
For items from California sellers, a Proposition 65 warning doesn't necessarily mean the product is dangerous — the threshold for warning is very low. But if you have concerns, ask the seller about their specific test results.
Buy from sellers who are transparent about their materials and processes — a maker who can tell you exactly which glaze they use and at what temperature they fire is more trustworthy than one who can't.

What sellers should do

Steps handmade sellers can take to meet safety requirements and build buyer trust.

If you sell ceramic food-contact items, get representative pieces tested for lead and cadmium leaching using ASTM C738/C927. Test after any change in glaze recipe, firing temperature, or kiln.
Use only glazes labeled as food-safe by the manufacturer, and fire them to the temperature the manufacturer specifies — a food-safe glaze fired incorrectly is not food-safe.
Keep records of your glaze recipes, firing schedules, and test results. This documentation protects you and demonstrates professionalism to buyers.
For wood food-contact items, use finishes that are specifically classified as food-safe (mineral oil, beeswax, FDA-listed coatings). Avoid general-purpose polyurethane, lacquer, or stains on food-contact surfaces.
Be aware of California Proposition 65 requirements if you sell to California buyers — consider testing to determine whether your products require warnings.
Never use decorative glazes or finishes on food-contact surfaces unless they are specifically formulated and tested for food contact.

Common misconceptions

Safety regulations can be confusing, especially for small-scale makers. Here are some widely-held beliefs that don't match the actual requirements.

If a glaze is labeled 'food-safe' by the manufacturer, I don't need to test my finished pieces

Reality: A food-safe glaze that is applied too thickly, too thinly, under-fired, over-fired, or contaminated during application may not produce a food-safe result. The FDA's lead and cadmium limits apply to the finished product, not the raw glaze. Testing your finished pieces (especially after any change in process) is the only way to confirm compliance.

High-fired stoneware and porcelain are automatically food-safe

Reality: Higher firing temperatures generally produce more stable glazes, but this is not a guarantee. Some high-fire glazes (particularly some beautiful copper reds and other specialty glazes) can still leach metals above FDA limits. The glaze formula, application, firing schedule, cooling rate, and kiln atmosphere all affect the final result. Testing is the only definitive answer.

Unglazed pottery is safer than glazed pottery for food use

Reality: Unglazed pottery (like some terracotta) is porous and can absorb food, bacteria, and moisture, creating its own food safety concerns. Properly formulated and fired food-safe glazes create a non-porous, cleanable surface that is generally better suited for food contact than unglazed clay. The safest option is a properly tested food-safe glaze, not the absence of glaze.

Mineral oil is the only food-safe finish for wood

Reality: Mineral oil is one of several food-safe finishes for wood. Others include beeswax, walnut oil (note: allergen concern), pure tung oil (fully cured), food-grade shellac, and certain polymerized linseed oils. The FDA maintains a list of materials generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for food contact. The key is using a finish specifically intended for food contact, not a general woodworking finish.

How our marketplace handles safety

Every seller is human-reviewed

Our verification process reviews each seller's identity, production methods, and materials before their listings go live. This isn't a checkbox — it's a conversation with a real person on our team.

Anti-dropshipping detection

Every listing image is checked against known mass-produced product databases. Items that match are held for human review and never auto-published. This helps ensure what's listed as handmade actually is.

Community flagging

Any buyer can flag a listing for review. Flagged items go back into the moderation queue for human assessment. We also run random spot audits on already-verified listings.

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Our transparent fee structure means sellers can invest more in quality materials and proper safety testing rather than paying escalating platform fees. Card processing is passed through at cost.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get my ceramic glazes tested?

Send representative finished pieces to a testing laboratory that performs ASTM C738 (overall food-contact surface) and/or ASTM C927 (rim/lip area) testing. Labs like SGS, Intertek, and various regional testing facilities offer this service. Cost is typically $50-150 per sample. Test pieces should represent your actual production conditions — same glaze, same clay body, same firing schedule. If you use multiple glazes or firing programs, test representative pieces from each.

Can I sell ceramics that are decorative only (not for food) without testing?

Yes, pieces marketed and sold exclusively as decorative (vases, wall art, sculpture) are not subject to FDA food-contact regulations. However, be clear in your product descriptions and labeling that the item is not intended for food use. Some potters include a small sticker or tag stating 'Decorative Use Only — Not Food Safe' to prevent misuse. If a product could reasonably be mistaken for a food-contact item (like a bowl or mug shape), clear labeling is especially important.

What about food-safe resin and epoxy for cutting boards or serving pieces?

Some epoxy resins are marketed as food-safe once fully cured (typically 14-30 days). The FDA does not certify specific consumer epoxy products, but some manufacturers test their products for compliance with FDA 21 CFR 175.300 (resinous and polymeric coatings) or 175.105 (adhesives). If you use epoxy on food-contact surfaces, verify that the specific product you use has been tested for food-contact compliance, and follow the manufacturer's curing instructions exactly.

Do I need to include a Proposition 65 warning on my ceramics?

It depends on your actual lead and cadmium exposure levels. The Prop 65 thresholds are very low — 0.5 micrograms/day for lead (oral). If your glazes have been tested and show lead leaching well below FDA Action Levels, you may still be above Prop 65 thresholds. Many ceramic sellers include the warning as a precaution to avoid litigation risk. The safest approach is to get your pieces tested and then consult the Prop 65 safe harbor levels to determine whether a warning is required for your specific products. Businesses with fewer than 10 employees are exempt from the warning requirement.

Are vintage or antique ceramics safe for food use?

Many vintage and antique ceramics — especially those made before modern lead regulations — contain glazes with significant lead content. Pre-1970s ceramics, imported ceramics from certain regions, and highly decorated pieces are higher risk. The only way to know is testing. Home lead test kits can provide a rough screening but are not precise enough to determine compliance with FDA limits. If you resell vintage ceramics for food use, testing is strongly recommended.

What about handmade metal utensils and cookware?

Metal food-contact items must be made from food-safe alloys. Stainless steel (304 and 316 grades) is widely used and accepted for food contact. Copper must be lined with a food-safe material (like tin) for acidic food contact. Cast iron is generally safe for food contact. Lead-containing alloys, some brasses, and decorative metals (pewter with lead, zinc with impurities) should not be used for food contact. If you make metal kitchenware, verify that your specific alloy is food-contact appropriate.

Last updated 2026-05-28. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulatory requirements vary by jurisdiction and product type. Sellers are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable laws and regulations for their specific products and markets. Consult a qualified attorney or regulatory specialist for guidance specific to your situation.