FAQ : Consumer Safety

  1. Have Onyx Designs and Seiv by Onyx tableware products been laboratory tested?
    • Yes. ONYX Designs and SEIV by ONYX tableware products routinely undergo several independent laboratory examinations.  Products have been verified to meet international Food Grade standards set forth by the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as well as other international health and safety entities including the ESFA (European Food Safety Authority).  ONYX melamine and plastic products are BPA and toxin free.  

  2. Is melamine tableware safe for serving hot and cold food?
    • Melamine tableware is safe for use with hot and cold foods between -20°C to 120°C. This includes all normal foods from hot soups to ice cream. Food Grade certified melamine products have been proven to be non toxic and non-emitters of hazardous chemicals upon contact with hot and cold substances.  

  3. Have ONYX DESIGNS™ and SEIV by ONYX™ earned SNI certification?
    • Yes, ONYX DESIGNS™ and SEIV by ONYX™ products were certified with SNI 7322-2008 in 2009.
  4. Are there melamine products that do not meet the Food Grade criteria?
    • Yes, there are currently many tableware products in the market which do not meet Food Grade criteria. They are FALSELY MARKETED as melamine products. Please be weary as these products do not meet Food Grade criteria, as there are made from urea formaldehyde, a substance used in making electrical appliances.  Checking for the Food Grade certification of products will help to avoid this problem.  For more information, please refer to our article The Differences between Original and Fake Melamine.

  5. What are some potential health hazards of using non Food Grade tableware products?
    • Non Food Grade tableware products may release formaldehyde upon contact with hot substances, resulting in contamination of food and potentially serious health effects. Short-term effects include headaches, nausea and vomiting. Long-term effects include cancer.
  6. How can one differentiate tableware products made from pure Food Grade melamine from those made from non Food Grade melamine like materials?
    • There are two simple tests for determining whether a product is made from pure melamine. A Food Grade melamine product will be able to withstand being held in a flame for 20 to 30 seconds without any damage or change in appearance, while a non Food Grade product will develop a blister like bubble appearance at the flame contact point. Additionally, a Food Grade melamine product will be able to withstand being boiled in water for 1 to 2 hours, while a non Food Grade product will either fracture or become soft and malleable.