Is any wood finish REALLY food-safe?

Summary

The video addresses a common concern about whether wood finishes are food safe, especially for cutting boards, countertops, and bowls. The speaker explains that most wood finishes found in stores, like natural oils, shellac, and even polyurethane, are safe for food once fully cured. The video also touches on misleading marketing terms, debunking the notion that finishes without 'food safe' labels are dangerous. The host discusses various finishes, including mineral oil, linseed oil, walnut oil, and waxes, outlining their pros and cons, particularly in terms of durability and maintenance for food-related wood items.

Takeaways

• 😊 All wood finishes that dry to a hard film, once fully cured, are food-safe, including natural oils, shellac, and polyurethane.
• 😮 Marketing terms like 'food-safe' on wood finishes are often misleading, much like 'hormone-free' chicken labels.
• ⚠️ Historically, wood finishes containing lead were harmful, but lead has been banned from finishes for nearly 50 years.
• 🧪 Metallic dryers like those in boiled linseed oil are present in trace amounts, and any significant exposure would require direct consumption of the finish.
• 🍽️ Polyurethane is safe once cured (which takes about a month), but it’s essentially plastic once hardened.
• 🌿 Mineral oil is safe but not very water-resistant, making it more suitable for cutting boards rather than bowls or items submerged in water.
• 🥜 Walnut oil is safe but may pose allergy concerns, though allergic reactions to tung oil (also from nuts) are rare.
• 🐝 Shellac is not water-resistant and dissolves in alcohol, so it may not be ideal for food-related projects, especially in kitchens.
• 💧 Wax-based finishes like beeswax and carnauba wax add water resistance and are generally safe but require frequent reapplication.
• 🔬 For any uncertain finishes, it's best to check with the manufacturer to ensure food safety.

Q & A

Why are people concerned about whether wood finishes are food-safe?

People are concerned because they want to ensure that the finishes on items like cutting boards, countertops, and wooden utensils won’t be harmful when they come into contact with food.

Are all wood finishes that dry to a hard film considered food-safe?

Yes, once wood finishes like natural oils, shellac, and polyurethane fully cure, they are considered food-safe.

Why do some manufacturers use the term 'food-safe' on their products?

Manufacturers use the term 'food-safe' as a marketing tactic to suggest that their competitors' products without the label might be harmful, even though most finishes are safe after curing.

How has the safety of wood finishes changed over time?

In the past, some wood finishes contained lead, but it has been banned for nearly half a century. Modern finishes no longer use harmful levels of metallic dryers and are safe once fully cured.

How long does it take for polyurethane to fully cure and become food-safe?

Polyurethane takes about a month to fully cure and become food-safe.

What is the main concern with using mineral oil on wood products?

While mineral oil is safe, it is not very water-resistant, so it's suitable for cutting boards but not for items that may be submerged in water, like bowls.

Why is boiled linseed oil not an ideal choice for cutting boards?

Boiled linseed oil can darken over time and may even become rancid, making it less desirable for cutting boards or other food-related wood products.

Can walnut oil cause allergic reactions in people with nut allergies?

There is some debate about walnut oil’s effects on people with severe nut allergies, though there haven’t been documented cases of allergic reactions from using it on wood products.

Why might shellac not be the best choice for food-related wood products?

Shellac isn’t very water-resistant and can dissolve in alcohol, even after curing, making it less ideal for surfaces like cutting boards, countertops, and bowls.

What is the advantage of wax-based finishes for food-related wood items?

Wax-based finishes, often containing beeswax or carnauba wax, can add water resistance to wood products and are easy to reapply. However, they need regular maintenance.