Sunny Merlion 1 I love and trust Japan made products, particularly stainless steel household products which I have already owned many of them. I waited excitedly for this container and its colander basket so that I can use it for blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli, shredded cabbage, etc. The colander basket is sturdy and really well-made with good stainless steel quality.Cons:(1) However I am really sad and disappointed at this container with its several black and poorly polished areas. It is not safe to use this container for soaking produce (e.g. fruits and veggies) in water or to keep food in it as the unpolished metal in stainless steel will leach into food and water.(2) The stainless steel surface underneath the edges of the container is not safe either. This area is often overlooked in stainless steel cookware and utensils as such area is usually the unpolished or lesser polished surface.The first time when I gently hand-washed it with the soft side of the dish sponge with dish soap, there was many powdery black soot stuck onto the dish sponge and kitchen paper towels.After rinising the container, I used kitchen paper towel to dry it. The powdery black soot was seen again and again on the paper towels. The dish sponge that was covered with soot also had to be discarded.(3) From my experience, a good stainless steel utensils have their edges folded in and sealed, or the edges will have a properly polished surface underneath. This will prevent any unpolished or lesser polished metal in the stainless steel from exposing to food and leaching into food.(4) I will not want to put this poorly-made utensil and its stainless steel quality in the dishwasher or to hand wash it together with other utensils as the black soot will cross transfer to other utensils.Regrettably this product cannot be used for food and it is also pricey for its unsatisfactory quality. It is also of great inconvenience to return it from overseas to Amazon.Although Amazon does refund the return shipping fee but the refund limit for the shipping fee is low and definitely unable to cover the expensive shipping fee. Moreover Amazon requires the return via DHL. I really wished I had not bought this product in the first place as the experience has been disappointing with much inconvenience.
