Melamine plastic tableware is also called imitation porcelain tableware. It uses melamine-formaldehyde resin as the base material and melamine molding powder with α-cellulose as the filler as the raw material. It is formed in the mold through high temperature and high pressure, and then polished and polished. Because of its lightness, beauty, low temperature resistance (can be directly put into the refrigerator), boiling resistance (can be steamed and boiled in boiling water), pollution resistance, and not easy to break, it is widely used in fast food industry, employee canteens and children’s catering industry. According to its color appearance, it can be divided into single color, double color, decals, etc. According to its shape and use, it can be divided into cups, bowls, plates, dishes, chopsticks, spoons, etc. What should we pay attention to when purchasing?

First, the tableware made of real melamine material has a smooth texture and a ceramic feel. It generally does not decompose. However, in the process of making tableware, if the materials and craftsmanship cannot be guaranteed, it is likely to be harmful to the human body. It is best to go to regular shopping malls and supermarkets to buy, and try to choose imitation porcelain tableware produced by regular manufacturers, because the raw material performance of regular products is relatively stable.

Second, qualified melamine tableware is mostly affixed with a product certificate at the bottom, and the company name, address and telephone number of the manufacturer are printed on it. Most of the products have the QS mark(different countries different mark) , and indicate the main ingredients, performance and applicable temperature range of the product. Some also clearly indicate the product shelf life and the words “do not put it in the microwave for heating”. Some companies use urea-formaldehyde resin as raw material to produce “storage trays”, “square plates”, “trays” and other products, and sell them together with melamine plastic tableware. Uninformed consumers mistakenly buy them as tableware and use them to hold food, which may ingest toxic chemicals that migrate from them. Tableware made of urea-formaldehyde resin can smell urine after being injected with hot water above 80°C. This is a relatively simple identification method.

Third, there is no problem with using melamine tableware in homes and restaurants under normal circumstances. The reason why there is a possibility of adverse effects is that the material used to make this tableware is formed by the polymerization reaction of melamine and formaldehyde. Although the state is stable after the reaction of the two, it is no longer toxic, but the monomer molecules before the reaction are toxic. After the reaction is completed, a small amount of monomer molecules will still be in a free state. This kind of monomer molecule precipitation will only occur under the stimulation of long-term acid and alkali or continuous high temperature. This situation will not occur in ordinary families or restaurants. If citizens use it normally according to the product’s usage conditions, there will be no problem.

Fourth, during use, be careful not to store acidic, oily, or alkaline food or drinks for a long time, especially do not put oily food in melamine tableware and heat it in a microwave oven to prevent the production of highly toxic cyanide.