When Not All Kid's Stainless Steel Dinnerware is Created Equally...

Our Year Long Journey To Creating the Best Kid's Stainless Steel Dinnerware on the Market

When we started EcoCubs, we had one goal: to create beautiful, safe, and practical dinnerware that could survive the every day chaos of a busy family home. We’re parents too- and while we absolutely adore our original plant-based dinnerware range, we also realise that sometimes it requires a little more TLC than the extra wild little cub might be willing to afford. That’s why we knew we needed to create something unbreakable- so no little bears would be left behind in our mission for safe and non-toxic sustainable kid's dinnerware.

So stainless steel appeared to us as the perfect solution… right? Well yes, until we discovered that not all stainless steel is created equal...

What Most Parents Don’t Know About Stainless Steel

While stainless steel is generally a safer choice than plastic or melamine, not all stainless steel products meet the same standards. In fact, some can actually pose serious health risks.

Independent testing has shown that certain stainless steel products- especially those sold online- can contain lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals. These metals can leach into food over time, especially when exposed to heat or acidic foods. It didn't actually occur to me until one day I saw a TikTok that said they had home tested their amazon stainless steel dinnerware to discover traces of lead!

What to Watch for When Buying Kid's Stainless Steel Dinnerware

Unfortunately, not every product that looks like “stainless steel” is safe. Some brands use recycled or low-grade steel of unknown origin, which increases the risk of contamination.

That’s why we always encourage parents to:

• Check for 304 or 316 stainless steel
• Look for independent testing and certifications
• Be cautious of ultra-cheap or unbranded products sold online

What We Did to Ensure EcoCubs Stainless Steel Dinnerware was the Safest Choice

We created EcoCubs because we were tired of second-guessing what was in our kids’ dinnerware. There so often seems to be hidden nasties in our every day products, and some times they're not even listed in the fine print (like those above).

It’s scary stuff- and it's exactly why we built EcoCubs. To provide safe products to busy families, without the hidden nasties. We always want to ensure that we do all the research, testing and due diligence so that our products can be purchased with confidence. We'll do all the hard work so you don't have to!

And while we’re proudly a plant-based brand first, we knew that some meals (and some toddlers) called for something a little tougher. So we introduced a stainless steel range- but only the safest kind.

Here’s how our Kid's Stainless Steel Dinnerware Range stands out:

• ✅ Made with premium 304 food-grade stainless steel (also known as 18/8): This is the same steel used in commercial kitchens. It’s rust-resistant, non-reactive, and built to last.
• ✅ Independently tested for safety: Every EcoCubs product meets international standards like FDA and EN 14372. We test for lead, cadmium, BPA, and other toxins- because we believe in full transparency. In fact, we even test beyond the labs for safety of mind. You can check out a video here of us testing our stainless steel products ourselves with an at-home lead testing kit!
• ✅ Designed for real-life parenting: Our suction-base bowls grip tight to highchair trays, and our matching plates are stackable, sturdy, and toddler-proof. They’re made to stand up to wild cubs, toppling high chairs and tantrums included. You can check out our at-home suction bowl testing for that one here.
• ✅ Balanced with our eco-values: Even though stainless steel isn’t plant-based, it’s endlessly recyclable and incredibly durable- meaning fewer replacements and less waste in the long run.

The Bottom Line?

We didn’t just want stainless steel dinnerware- we wanted the safest stainless steel dinnerware! A range that could survive the chaos of toddler mealtimes and still align with our values of safety and sustainability first.

You can explore our full range of kid's stainless steel dinnerware here for your own little cubs and first and foremost, buy with confidence for your home.