Harfield Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This FAQ is designed to answer common questions about Harfield products, materials and suitability across professional catering, education, healthcare, care and hospitality environments. It complements our product, category and range pages and reflects how Harfield tableware is used in real-world settings.
General Product Use & Durability
What are Harfield products designed for?
Harfield products are designed for professional food service environments where durability, hygiene and repeatable performance are essential. They are used across education, healthcare, care, hospitality and food preparation settings.
Are Harfield products suitable for professional use?
Yes. Harfield tableware is designed specifically for professional environments and repeated daily use, rather than domestic or occasional use.
How durable is reusable tableware compared to crockery or melamine?
Reusable tableware is designed to reduce breakage and chipping compared to traditional crockery. While performance varies by material and product type, reusable tableware generally offers longer service life and lower replacement rates in high-use environments.
Are Harfield products suitable for high-use environments?
Yes. Many Harfield products are used in environments such as schools, hospitals and catering operations where items are handled frequently and washed repeatedly.
How long do reusable tableware products typically last?
Lifespan depends on the product, material and environment, but reusable tableware is designed to deliver long service life when used and cleaned correctly in professional settings.
Cleaning, Dishwashing & Hygiene
Are Harfield products dishwasher safe?
Most Harfield products are designed to be dishwasher safe. Specific temperature limits and care guidance are provided on individual product pages.
Are Harfield products suitable for commercial dishwashers?
Yes. Many Harfield products are used in commercial dishwashing environments. Always follow the recommended care instructions for the specific product.
How should reusable tableware be cleaned and sanitised?
Reusable tableware should be cleaned using standard professional dishwashing and sanitising procedures appropriate to the environment in which it is used.
Do Harfield products absorb food, smells or stains?
Harfield products are designed for food service use and are made from materials selected to support hygiene and ease of cleaning when used correctly.
Can reusable tableware be safely reused in shared environments?
Yes. When cleaned and sanitised correctly, reusable tableware is suitable for shared use in professional environments such as schools, hospitals and catering operations.
Materials, BPA & Compliance
What materials are used across the Harfield range?
Harfield products are manufactured using a range of materials including polycarbonate, polypropylene, copolyester, polyester, acrylic, HDPE and EPP, depending on the product and application.
Are Harfield products BPA free?
Some Harfield products are BPA free, while others are manufactured from materials where BPA compliance is managed in line with current regulations. Product-specific information is provided where relevant.
How does Harfield approach material safety and compliance?
Harfield closely monitors UK and EU regulatory requirements and works with manufacturing partners to ensure materials used are suitable for professional food contact applications.
Are Harfield products suitable for food contact?
Yes. Harfield products are designed for food service use and manufactured using materials suitable for contact with food, in line with applicable regulations.
How does Harfield manage regulatory changes around materials?
Harfield actively reviews regulatory developments and adapts its product ranges and materials where required to ensure ongoing compliance and customer confidence.
Temperature, Heat & Specialist Use
Are Harfield products suitable for hot food service?
Many Harfield products are suitable for hot food service. Temperature performance varies by product and material and should always be checked on the relevant product page.
Can Harfield products be used in hot trolleys or retherm systems?
Specific high-heat and O2T products are designed for use in hot trolley and regeneration systems. Standard products may not be suitable for these applications.
What is the difference between standard and high-heat products?
High-heat products are designed to withstand higher temperatures associated with retherm or hot-holding systems, whereas standard products are intended for conventional service use.
How does insulated tableware help keep food warm?
Insulated tableware is designed to slow heat loss during service, helping food remain warmer for longer while it is being eaten.
What is the difference between insulated tableware and insulated boxes?
Insulated tableware is used at the point of consumption, while insulated boxes are designed for transporting and holding food before service.
Sector Suitability
Is Harfield tableware suitable for schools?
Yes. Harfield products are widely used in education settings where durability, ease of cleaning and efficient service are required.
Is reusable tableware safe for healthcare environments?
When used correctly and cleaned in line with professional procedures, reusable tableware is suitable for healthcare catering environments.
What tableware works best for care homes?
Care environments benefit from tableware that supports safe handling, ease of use and consistent hygiene. Harfield offers ranges specifically designed for care and assisted living settings.
Is Harfield suitable for Early Years and Play Centres?
Yes. Harfield products are designed to reduce breakage and support safe use in environments involving young children and high activity levels.
Can Harfield products be used in hospitality and food-to-go settings?
Yes. Harfield tableware is used across hospitality, cafés, street food and grab-and-go environments where durability and presentation are both important.
Assisted Living, Dementia & SEN Dining
How can tableware support independent eating?
Thoughtful tableware design can help users feel more confident and comfortable at mealtimes, supporting independence where possible.
What’s the difference between Assisted Living and Dementia ranges?
Assisted Living ranges focus on physical ease of use and stability, while Dementia ranges focus on familiarity, recognition and reducing confusion at mealtimes.
How does tableware support SEN dining environments?
SEN dining environments benefit from predictable, easy-to-recognise designs that support calmer, more comfortable eating experiences.
Are these products suitable for vulnerable users?
Yes. Harfield offers ranges designed specifically to support inclusive, supported dining environments when used appropriately.
How does design affect confidence at mealtimes?
Clear, familiar and practical designs can help reduce stress and support more positive dining experiences.
Sustainability & Reuse
Why choose reusable tableware over single-use?
Reusable tableware helps reduce waste, supports long-term cost control and provides consistent performance in professional environments.
How does reusable tableware reduce waste?
By replacing disposable items with products designed for repeated use, organisations can significantly reduce single-use waste.
Are Harfield products recyclable?
Many Harfield products are recyclable at end of life. Recycling options depend on material type and local facilities.
How does durability support sustainability?
Products that last longer need replacing less often, reducing material use, transport and waste over time.
How does Harfield balance sustainability and cost?
Harfield focuses on long service life and reliable performance, helping customers achieve sustainability goals while maintaining cost control.
Presentation, Branding & Service Style
Can reusable tableware still look premium?
Yes. Harfield offers ranges designed to deliver crockery-style presentation with improved durability and reliability.
Is Harfield suitable for front-of-house service?
Yes. Many Harfield products are designed specifically for front-of-house use where appearance and performance are equally important.
Can Harfield products replace crockery?
In many environments, reusable tableware offers a practical alternative to crockery by reducing breakages and maintenance issues.
Are branding options available?
Branding is available on selected products and ranges. Availability depends on product type and order requirements.
What works best for grab-and-go or street food service?
Durable, easy-to-handle and reusable products are well suited to fast-paced, informal food service environments.
Range Selection, Support & Next Steps
How do I choose the right range for my environment?
The best range depends on how and where products will be used. Harfield category and range pages are designed to help guide selection.
Can different ranges be used together?
Yes. Many customers use multiple Harfield ranges together to suit different service needs within the same environment.
Where can I get advice or samples?
Harfield and its distribution partners can provide guidance and samples to help with product selection.
Do distributors use this FAQ as a reference?
Yes. This FAQ is designed to support distributors and end users by providing clear, consistent information.
How often are ranges updated?
Harfield regularly reviews and updates its ranges to reflect customer needs, regulatory requirements and new product development.
Final note
This FAQ is intended to support understanding and confidence when choosing Harfield products. For product-specific details, always refer to individual product pages or contact the Harfield team for advice.