But what are melamine dishes, exactly?  Melamine resin, according to Wikipedia, is “a hard, thermosetting plastic material made from melamine and formaldehyde by polymerization.”  The resulting product is durable, lightweight, and break-resistant, and it can be molded into plates, cups, bowls, ramekins, or even fry cups and chopsticks.  The end product is also lighter weight and much easier to handle than traditional china, and stands up to the rigors of everyday use much better than conventional dishes.

Melamine looks great, is safe to use, and is cost-effective too. Photo courtesy of Carlisle Foodservice Products

Before learning about the benefits of melamine tableware, the safety of the plates should first be addressed.  There has been a lot in the news about melamine leaching from the dishes and in to the food we consume.  And in fact, the product has been found to contain some leftover melamine after the production process is complete.  The leftover melamine can migrate very slowly out of the plastic and into the food that comes into contact with the tableware.  But before you panic, understand that the migration for acidic food (the worst offender of causing leakage at normal usage conditions) is 250 times lower than the level of melamine that the FDA has concluded is acceptable.  The levels are determined by rigorous assessment of melamine toxicity in the product under a variety of conditions.  The assessment includes a review of the literature available on melamine toxicity and is also peer-reviewed by experts chosen by an independent contractor.  Melamine dinnerware should never be heated in a microwave or conventional oven because melamine migration is higher when the product is hot, above 160° F.  Although contamination above levels deemed acceptable by the FDA is extremely rare, melamine poisoning symptoms that should cause concern are irritability, blood in the urine, little or no urine, signs of kidney infection, or high blood pressure.  Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect melamine poisoning and any of these symptoms occur.

There are many benefits to using melamine dinnerware in your operation, the first and foremost being that it is shatterproof and break-resistant.  The dishes can be dropped, stacked, dumped in bus tubs, knocked over, flung into the sink, used, and abused with very little, if any, breakage.  This makes them cost-effective as a long term investment, and the upfront cost is typically much less than you would find for traditional china.  Calculating the cost of your investment over time, the savings you procure by choosing melamine over china are significant, and who doesn’t like to save money?

Melamine comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, like this Molcajete dish for serving salsa. Photo courtesy of Gessner Products.

Melamine is also available in many colors and designs, in white and in off-white, to suit any restaurant décor or theme.  Mexican themed restaurants, for example, can take advantage of bright and colorful salsa dishes, ramekins, and even classic mortar-and-pestle type Molcajete dishes.  Whatever your traditional china preferences, you can be sure to find a melamine counterpart to fit your operation’s needs.

The “stay cool” properties of heat-resistant and cold-insulated melamine make the product a great tool for both front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house use.  The heat-resistant dishware is an asset to cooks and servers alike, saving them from burns from heat transfer—the melamine ware stays cool to the touch, even when in contact with hot foods.  Conversely, buffet and cold foods stay cool because of its insulating properties.  Cold pans in attractive colors are a great addition to salad bars and buffet lines, and the melamine helps to keep the product cool throughout the day.

While melamine isn’t considered to be conventionally recyclable (meaning it can’t be melted down to be repurposed like other plastics), it can be ground down to be used as excellent filler for other plastics or woods.  Some brands are using recycled melamine to make dinnerware that is 50% bamboo and 50% melamine—the product boasts the same properties as traditional melamine dishware but is biodegradable!

Equally great is that melamine tableware is dishwasher safe to temperatures at (or sometimes even above, depending on the brand), 200° F.  This exceeds the recommended dishwasher temperature settings for melamine dinnerware, thus allowing the dishes to be fully cleaned and sanitized.  Additionally, they also dry faster than traditional china, so that on busy days they are more readily available for reuse after washing.

Caring for melamine dinnerware is simple, too.  Simply follow the guidelines listed below:

• If necessary, presoak melamine products in a high-quality presoak dishwashing detergent.
• Do not use serrated knives on melamine product.
• Do not use melamine products in conventional or microwave ovens.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners or metal scouring pads on melamine products.
• Do not use chlorine bleach on melamine products.

Although melamine dinnerware is a great choice, it does have drawbacks.  The product can’t be used with heat lamps or plate warmers to keep food heated while it is waiting to be served.  Also, it is prone to staining over time, and once a stain appears it can be difficult, if not impossible, to get rid of.  And although melamine dishes are scratch-resistant, it doesn’t mean that they can’t be scratched.  Once this occurs, it is safest to discard the piece because bacteria can harbor in the area and cause a health risk to diners.

All in all, though, melamine tableware is a great option for many operations.  It is less expensive and lighter weight than traditional china.  The product is incredibly durable, and available in a large variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to meet your operation’s needs.  What do you think?  Will you be giving melamine a try?

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