Why you should reconsider using Royal Doulton Bunnykins dining set

An American expert and child health advocate has revealed shocking news about the vintage Royal Doulton Bunnykins dining sets.

Tamara Rubin, from Oregon, is best known for testing pottery, crystal, and toys for lead after two of her children were poisoned with the toxin in 2005.

The mum-of-four has discouraged people from using the popular vintage Bunnykins dining sets with food, as she has found them to contain high levels of lead and arsenic.

She recently tested a Bunnykins baby bowl with a raft on it and found 93,600 ppm of lead and 3,460 ppm of arsenic.

The expert also revealed that 90 ppm and up is extremely unsafe for children and dangerous to consume.

‘Vintage Bunnykins are not safe for food use and especially not safe for children to use,’ said Tamara in a recent post on her website.

A Royal Doulton spokesperson told FEMAIL that a product’s safety and quality was very important to them.

‘We are committed to putting our customers first and listening to their concerns about consumer issues,’ they said. 

‘We are conscious that manufacturing safety standards have changed over time and recommend that our vintage designs are not used for tableware as originally intended, but enjoyed and loved as a collector’s item.

‘Royal Doulton is committed to full compliance with all laws and regulations in relevant countries, however, we are aware some of our customers may still be worried about the Bunnykins pieces they own.’

‘We would recommend they send a photo of the product back stamp and pattern to our customer service team, this information can be used to help determine the age of the product and reassure our customers about the safety of our Bunnykins products for food use.’ 

‘Bunnykins baby bowl with the artist [pictured] contains 80,000 ppm lead on the food surface,’ Tamara said with her test report of the dish

Generations of Australians have enjoyed the family-favourite dining sets, with many passing down the adorable plates, bowls, and cups to their children and grandchildren as gifts.

She added, ‘For context: anything made today (2020) with over 90 ppm lead in the paint, glaze or coating is considered illegal in the United States if it is an item that is intended for use by children.’

The child health advocate also revealed that she found multiple other Bunnykins dishes to contain lead and arsenic as well.

‘Bunnykins baby bowl with the artist contains 80,000 ppm lead on the food surface,’ she said with her test report of the dish.

The high levels of lead and arsenic can cause several health and developmental issues, including severe pain, learning disabilities, chronic fatigue, memory loss, and more.

The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water has warned residents that lead in ceramics pose extreme health risks

The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water has warned residents that lead in ceramics pose extreme health risks.

‘Lead is a toxic substance that can affect people of any age,’ they revealed in a 2021 report. 

‘Lead has long been used in ceramic ware, both in glazes and in decorations’

The government also divulged that the substance is ‘especially harmful’ to children, pregnant women, and unborn babies as it accumulates in your body and can hence pose a health hazard over time.

‘This is because the lead can get into food and drink prepared, stored or served in the crockery,’ the report said.