Councillor's concern over Waterford Crystal formula changes

Waterford City South Councillor and veteran former Waterford Crystal cutter Donal Barry has raised concerns over the removal of lead from the recipe for Waterford Crystal.

Cllr Barry said that he had been informed that Waterford Crystal were removing lead from the recipe of the Déise's most famous export. 

"I had 30 years experience with Waterford Crystal and from the day I started to the day the company closed down, we were always taught that the sand, red lead and potash were the substances that made the crystal."

Cllr Barry is concerned that the removal of the lead from the product will lessen the quality of the glass. 

"We were told that the lead played a very important part in giving the crystal its unique shine and the unique colours that you see when you hold a piece of the glass up to the light. Those were always the unique selling points."

"Waterford Crystal," he said, "is a premium brand and it commands a premium price. The customers don't seem to mind paying for the product because it is of such a high quality."

The Waterford City South councillor said he hopes that Waterford Crystal "have done their market research" with regard to removing lead from their product.

"I would be afraid that the crystal would lack its clarity and shine" that the old recipe for Waterford Crystal was so well known for. 

"It had a great sparkle and shine, I hope the new stuff doesn't lose that because of the lack of lead content.

"If you're going lead-free, are you then a premium product? Are you just a normal crystal - that's on the shelf after being mass-produced in factories that don't have the same lustre and shine as a premium product?" Cllr Barry questioned. 

"Only time will tell how this change will be perceived - whether the new Crystal will stand the test of time." 

He also queried whether the signature ping of the glass would be changed by the removal of the ingredient.

In a statement on their website, Waterford Crystal said: "The decision to remove lead from our production process has been made for environmental reasons and the improved performance of our products."

The company said that the change will still generate the "familiar sparkle, brilliance and design excellence" of the previous recipe but notes that "you may notice a subtle difference in how [the new recipe] feels". 

Waterford Crystal said that the "new formula will produce crystal that’s slightly lighter in weight, you may experience a new ping from your new crystal products."

Waterford Crystal products' lead content is not something to be concerned about, however, Councillor Barry said, with most functional pieces, such as wine decanters, there is an internal coating to prevent any leaching of the substance into the contents.

The company echoes this sentiment, in a section titled 'Are my old lead crystal items still safe to use?'. Waterford Crystal says "All Waterford food and beverage items are regularly tested to fully comply with the latest food contact material legislations, so you can continue to enjoy your favourite beverage in your existing lead crystal items as well as our new formula crystal."