Is Ceramic Safe for Toddlers? Everything NZ Parents Are Asking
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Ceramic toddler plates are becoming more talked about in New Zealand — and with that comes a lot of questions from parents who want to make sure they're making the right choice for their child. We've gathered the most common questions NZ parents are asking and answered every single one honestly.
The most common question first: Is ceramic safe for toddlers?
It's the question we get asked more than any other. And it's a fair one.
The concern usually comes down to two things: the glaze and the fragility. Both are worth taking seriously — and both have straightforward answers when you're buying from a reputable brand with proper testing behind it.
Let's go through every question we hear.
Is ceramic glaze safe for toddlers to eat from?
Yes — when the glaze has been properly tested and certified.
Not all ceramic glazes are created equal. Historically, some ceramic glazes contained lead or cadmium — heavy metals that are harmful if they leach into food, particularly for young children whose developing bodies absorb heavy metals more readily than adults.
Modern, reputable ceramic manufacturers use food-safe glazes that are free from lead and cadmium. But "reputable" is the key word. The way to know for certain that a ceramic plate is safe is to look for independent third-party testing — not just a brand's word for it.
At Lítill Lapsi, our ceramic dinnerware has been independently tested to the following international standards:
- FDA standards — the United States Food and Drug Administration's requirements for food-contact materials, one of the most rigorous food safety frameworks in the world
- LGFB standards — food-safe certification from Europe confirming the glaze is free from harmful substances. Noted as having some of the strictest food safety regulations in the world
- CNAS standards — China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment, an internationally recognised accreditation body that certifies testing laboratories meet global standards
- ILAS standards — International Laboratory Accreditation standards, confirming our testing was conducted by accredited laboratories operating to global benchmarks
What this means for you: our plates have been tested by independent, internationally accredited laboratories — not just assessed internally by the manufacturer. The glaze on your child's plate has been verified as food-safe to international standards.
We believe NZ parents deserve to know exactly what their children are eating from. That transparency is non-negotiable for us.
What about the fragility? Won't ceramic break?
Ceramic can chip or crack if dropped from a height onto a hard surface. That's true and we won't pretend otherwise.
Here's how we think about it practically:
The removable silicone suction base on Lítill Lapsi plates creates a firm grip on smooth surfaces — highchair trays, tables, benchtops. A plate that stays on the table doesn't hit the floor. If the suction hasn't activated or the plate is dropped in transport to the table, the removable silicone suction lining acts as a barrier for the plate inside helping protect it's edges against chipping upon impact
Our Ceramic is also 2x the thickness of standard ceramic plates that you and I eat from. There's a post on our Instagram page with a picture to prove it!
What ceramic gives you in return — a food-safe, odour-free, stain-resistant surface that lasts for years — is, for most NZ families, well worth that trade-off.
Is ceramic microwaveable?
Yes. Ceramic is microwave safe. So is our silicone lining.
This is one of the most practical advantages ceramic has over other toddler dinnerware materials. Most silicone toddler plates are not microwave safe — meaning every reheated meal requires transferring food to a separate bowl, microwaving, then transferring back.
Lítill Lapsi ceramic plates go straight from the fridge to the microwave to the table. No extra dishes. No extra steps. One less thing at the end of a long day.
Is ceramic dishwasher safe?
Yes. Our ceramic plates and their linings are fully dishwasher safe.
And here's where ceramic really separates itself from silicone: dishwasher cycles don't degrade ceramic the way they degrade silicone over time. Silicone absorbs detergent with every wash cycle — which is why silicone plates eventually start to smell like your dishwasher. Ceramic is non-porous, so detergent has nowhere to absorb. After one wash or five hundred washes, the plate comes out exactly the same.
The bottom line for NZ parents
Ceramic is safe for toddlers when it comes from a brand that has done the testing. The glaze is what matters most — and the way to know it's safe is to look for independent certification, not just a brand's assurances.
At Lítill Lapsi, our plates have been tested to FDA, LGFB, CNAS and ILAS international standards by accredited independent laboratories. They are microwaveable, dishwasher safe, food-safe, and designed specifically for toddlers with a silicone suction base that keeps them on the table.
NZ parents deserve a ceramic option. We brought it here.