Researchers at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague have discovered that "bio-based" plates, often marketed as eco-friendly alternatives, can release harmful chemicals into food. Their study analyzed 33 bamboo and other bio-based dishes, bowls, cups, and dining sets from various markets and found that melamine, a significant contaminant, was present in 32 percent of the bamboo products examined.
Some pesticide residues and plant secondary metabolites were also detected. The study revealed that six bamboo products exceeded European Union limits for melamine.
Professor Jana Hajslova, a lead author, stated that the "natural" label on these products can be misleading, as many are essentially plastic dishes made with melamine-formaldehyde resin and bamboo filler. This combination can accelerate the degradation of the plastic, increasing the migration of harmful substances like melamine into food, especially when it's hot or acidic.
These products are often targeted at children due to their colorful designs. The researchers noted that bamboo tableware is frequently mislabeled as biodegradable, natural, or 100% bamboo, even when other materials are used.
The use of bamboo as an additive in plastic tableware has been banned in the EU since 2021 due to these risks, yet these items remain available for purchase. Melamine was found to migrate into hot lemon tea and orange juice, indicating a direct route for consumption.
While only disinfectants were found in bamboo-based dishes, cereal-based dishes showed the highest number of pesticide residues. The study calls for increased consumer awareness and market surveillance to address these hazardous products.
