Why it's best not to use black kitchen utensils

In recent years, the black kitchen utensils They've come under scrutiny for their alleged dangers. Black plastic ladles, spatulas, bowls, and containers, favored for their elegant design and ability to easily match any tableware, are said to pose health risks precisely because of the material they're made of.

Let's take a closer look at why these tools have become the subject of controversy, what dangerous substances have been identified in studies conducted in the United States, and how European legislation protects consumers.

Are black kitchen utensils dangerous?

An recent research conducted in the USA by the organization Toxic-Free Future and published in the scientific journal Chemosphere raised the alarm about black kitchen utensils. The investigation examined over 200 products on the American market and found that a very high percentage of them contained flame retardants, chemicals usually used to make electronic components or household appliances less flammable.

What is worrying is that, in the process of plastic recycling Used to produce these tools, the material from the electronic equipment isn't always separated. Consequently, brominated or organophosphate compounds (the latter being the basis of many insecticides and herbicides)—potentially harmful to health—can find their way into items intended for food contact.

Among the substances identified overseas, decaBDE, bis(pentabromophenyl) oxide, a flame retardant, stands out. banned in the United States from 2021 due to its possible carcinogenic effects and endocrine disrupting. It is included by Regulation (EU) 2017/227 in the list of substances subject to REACH restrictions (Annex XVII).

Why flame retardants are a concern

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are highly persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the human body. Several scientific studies have shown that some of them can:

• alter the functionality of the thyroid
• impair the neurological development of children and fetuses (these substances have the ability to pass through the placenta and reach the fetus)
• have potential carcinogenic effects

For these reasons, their use is currently severely limited or prohibited in many countries.

Black kitchen utensils in Europe, the legislation

Although the data that emerged are alarming, a fundamental point must be clarified: The study concerns products sold on the US market and not those marketed in EuropeIn our continent, the regulations are much more stringent. Materials intended for contact with food fall into the category of MOCA (Materials and Objects in Contact with Food) and must comply with strict requirements established by the EC Regulation 1935/2004, which requires migration controls and security testing.

This European regulation requires, among other things, that materials coming into contact with food must not release substances harmful to health or chemically alter the food. Furthermore, they must not alter its taste, odor, color, or texture. Essentially, they must not affect the quality and safety of food in any way.

Furthermore, the following has been in force since 2022: EU Regulation 2022/1616, which regulates the use of the recycled plastic to produce objects that come into contact with food. The regulation provides, among other things:

• That recycled plastic materials must be produced using suitable technologies.
• That they must be subjected to adequate decontamination processes, so that the recycled plastic does not transmit unwanted substances to food.
• That companies must use high-quality raw materials, coming exclusively from controlled and traceable sources (therefore excluding contaminated or non-compliant materials).

In confirmation of the greater protection, in the European Union the use of some BFRs is prohibited or limited. Furthermore, tests conducted in Europe on black plastic utensils have not detected the presence of harmful flame retardants.

How to use kitchen utensils safely

Regardless of the color, it is always important to adopt good practices both when purchasing and using them. ladles and kitchen utensils more generally.

First of all, we recommend that you look for the glass and fork symbol or the words “for food” above them. then read the instructions for use carefully, such as the maximum temperature and the recommended types of foods that can come into contact with them. Wash new utensils before use and make sure they are dishwasher safe (otherwise, wash them by hand). Finally, replace any utensils that are damaged, scratched, or deformed by heat.

Read also:

• How to clean kitchen utensils
• Food in plastic: all the risks
• Reduce plastic every day

Cover photo by congerdesign from Pixabay