Safety of glues in wooden chopping boards

It seems to be becoming more difficult over time to get a wooden chopping board that isn't made of separate pieces of wood that are glued together.

I did find some sites discussing how to choose a food safe glue:

The latter site states "Boards that are not made with FDA-approved glues should not be used for food preparation as the toxins in the glue could leech into the food."

Is anyone aware of any studies done into whether the chopping boards generally for sale are actually safe? (For the US, does the FDA check when they are imported?)

Obviously the quantity of glue that would make it into food would be very low, and probably undetectable by taste or sight. Has anyone experienced any ill effects from using a chopping board made with glue that's not food safe?

food-safety cutting-boards

Best Answer

My research led me to the fact that it is the glue that gets the FDA food-safe approval or not. The Wood Whisperer's website addresses the different kinds of glues used for cutting boards:

http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/articles/food-safe-glues/

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Is wood glue toxic for cutting boards?

As it is non-toxic, water-based, and solvent-free, it has a mild and pleasant odor. After you apply it, you only need to clamp your cutting board together for 20-30 minutes before the adhesive sets. It then needs a further 24 hours before it fully cures.

What kind of glue should you use on a cutting board?

At our house, cutting boards get scrubbed in the sink after use, and sometimes they're immersed, not just wiped with a damp rag. So, I'd use a waterproof glue such as Titebond III. (If you're going to the effort to make a beautiful cutting board, why not choose the most water-resistant glue you can?)

Is wood glue edible?

It is manufactured from rendered collagen from the skins (hides) of animals. It is chemically similar to edible gelatin and is non-toxic if ingested.

What kind of glue is food safe?

Permabond food grade adhesives cure to a rigid solid which is non-porous for ease of cleaning, and are FDA compliant to FDA CFR 175.105 & 175.300. These epoxy adhesives offer excellent resistance to water, food, cleaning fluids and heat.

Gluing the Cutting Boards

More answers regarding safety of glues in wooden chopping boards

Answer 2

Anyone who sells cutting boards knows to use FDA approved glue. From a business standpoint, it's the way to go and it's the only way you'll sell a single cutting board. That having been said, I highly doubt FDA approved glue is much different from non-approved wood glue. The glue is dry and is not gonna just seep out of the cracks, since these things are made precisely and glue in a joint is .0001"-.0005" thick. However, some woods that are often used in cutting boards are toxic (I had some serious respiratory issues when I was cutting/sanding purple heart, wenge, and padauk). Might be wise to look into that. But at the end of the day, maybe our immune systems need a little practice for when the serious problems happen.

Answer 3

I heard that some of the glues have formaldehyde in them. I like to use solid piece timber chopping boards with no glues or laminates because of the glues, I like to use Camphor Laurel as it has a natural anti bacterial also, there is a great mob at Byron Bay chopping boards that do this.

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