Food contact with chromium plated parts

Q. I work for an household appliance manufacturer in Europe. We are developing a new line of small domestic appliances. The aesthetic design requires a decorative plastic part, chromium plated, close to the lid of the kettle. I do not know if there are safety or health regulations for a part that can get in touch accidentally with cold and hot drinking water. Any suggestion is highly appreciated.

May 11, 2012

A. Hi, Marcello.

There might be prohibitions somewhere, but I haven't heard of them, and metallic chrome is not a toxin. I even have some old copper-nickel-chrome plated flatware.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E. RET finishing.com Brick, New Jersey