Is it safe to drink coffee from ceramic mugs with painted exteriors?
Use caution with decorated rims and lip areas. A 2025 mug study found higher cadmium and lead migration from some exterior surfaces.
What is actually in it
The ceramic body is not the main issue. The concern is the glaze or decoration, especially near the rim where your mouth touches the mug.
Most modern mugs from responsible makers are made for food contact. The higher-risk group is decorated, damaged, old, second-hand, handmade, or imported mugs without clear food-contact information.
What the research says
A 2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials study measured cadmium and lead migration from new and second-hand ceramic mugs over 24 hours using 4% acetic acid.
The study found migration was more significant from external lip-area surfaces for both metals. In decorated exterior areas, 24-hour concentrations reached about 0.2 to 115 micrograms per liter for cadmium and 1.2 to 934 micrograms per liter for lead. Interior migration stayed lower in this test.
What to do instead
Use plain glass, stainless steel, or simple undecorated ceramic for daily hot drinks. Skip mugs with paint or glaze on the rim. Retire mugs that are chipped, crazed, or peeling, especially if a child uses them.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Migration kinetics of cadmium and lead from ceramic mugs. | J Hazard Mater | 2025 |