Keep Food Safe with the Right Wood Sealant

Eating contaminated food can cause serious illness. When using wooden utensils, cutlery, bowls, cutting boards, and more, it's essential to keep them sealed against bacteria growth and chemical leaching. Wood sealants create a protective barrier between the wood and food to prevent cross-contamination. Choosing an appropriate food safe wood sealant is important to maintain health.

We'll look at why they matter, the different types of sealants, and how to choose the right option for your needs.

Why Sealants Matter for Food Contact Wood

Wood contains inherent toxins like tannins, resins, and oils. Untreated wood also provides the perfect environment for bacteria like E.coli and Salmonella to grow, especially with moisture exposure. A food safe sealant creates a barrier to lock out contaminants.

Sealants prevent the natural toxins and chemicals in wood from leaching into food or beverages. This barrier also stops outside contaminants like bacteria, mold, and mildew from absorbing into the grain. Proper sealing is crucial for woods that directly touch food.

Food Contact Surfaces vs. Articles

There is an important distinction between food contact surfaces and food contact articles. Food contact surfaces are the parts of equipment, containers, and packaging that directly touch food during preparation, storage, and transportation. Examples include conveyor belts, mixing tanks, and food storage containers.

Food contact articles, on the other hand, are utensils, dishes, and other implements that contact food during preparation or consumption but don't form continuous contact surfaces. Things like wooden spoons, bowls, and cutting boards fall under this category.

The key difference is that food contact surfaces must meet strict regulatory requirements for materials, coatings, and design. Food contact articles have slightly more lenient guidelines. However, both should utilize food safe materials.

Types of Food Contact Materials

Food contact materials include any substance that food or beverages will touch. The most common types are:

• Plastics - Polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, polystyrene
• Metals - Stainless steel, aluminum, tin
• Glass
• Paper/cardboard

While considered safe, certain materials like plastics may allow chemicals to migrate into food, posing health risks. It's essential to use food contact materials that meet safety regulations.

Food Contact Material Regulations

Countries establish their own regulatory standards for food contact materials. In the United States, the FDA oversees stringent requirements.

FDA guidelines cover materials used in equipment, packaging, containers, and utensils. Companies must submit specific data from extraction studies and stringent toxicology testing to ensure safety.

These FDA regulations also include strict labeling requirements for food contact substances. Following these guidelines ensures all materials won't transmit toxins, chemicals, or dangerous levels of contaminants into food.

Food Safe Wood Sealant Options

When it comes to food safe wood protection, there are a few major types of sealants available:

Natural Oils

Mineral Oil - Mineral oil is affordable, odorless, and provides moderate protection. It's food safe and doesn't go rancid. However, mineral oil requires frequent reapplication on wood.

Walnut Oil - Walnut oil provides good short-term protection with a smooth finish. It contains vitamin E antioxidants. Walnut oil needs reapplied often but offers easy renewal.

Raw Linseed Oil - Raw linseed oil has long been used on butcher blocks and cutting boards. It contains drying agents that help it polymerize in the wood. Linseed oil repels water well but requires monthly reapplication.

Waxes

Beeswax - Beeswax provides long-term protection from moisture and food acids. It builds up well with reapplication. Beeswax has antibacterial properties. The finish is naturally non-stick. Over time, reapply every 3-6 months.

Carnauba Wax - Carnauba wax comes from palm leaves. It creates a lustrous, water-resistant finish ideal for bowls and utensils. Carnauba wax needs reapplied every 1-3 months with heavy use. It's more durable than beeswax.

Resins

Shellac - Shellac is a resin secreted from the lac beetle. It dries to a natural glossy finish and provides good moisture resistance. Shellac sticks well to wood but needs reapplied annually.

Tung Oil - Tung oil penetrates deep into the wood grain for long-lasting protection. It contains natural water repellent properties. Tung oil creates a hard, durable finish that resists heat, acids, and scratches. Reapply every 6-12 months.

Choosing the Right Sealant

With all the options available, choosing the optimal food safe wood sealant may seem daunting. Keep these factors in mind when deciding on the best one for your needs:

Level of Protection Needed

Consider how much protection your wood items need. Oils absorb into the wood grain but need reapplied often to maintain their barrier. Waxes and resins create more impermeable finishes.

For goods like cutting boards that need maximum sealing, waxes and resin finishes work better. Oils provide enough protection for occasional-use boards and utensils.

Food Contact Frequency

Frequent food contact requires a more durable sealant, while infrequent use allows for shorter-term options. For example, salad bowls in daily use need a strong beeswax or shellac finish. But butcher blocks used only occasionally can get by with a simple mineral oil.

Reading Labels for Safety

Always read the full label before purchasing a wood sealant. Check that it carries an "FDA-approved for food contact" rating to ensure safety. Steer clear of products with toxic solvents or chemicals listed in the ingredients. Follow all manufacturer instructions.

Applying and Caring for Sealants

Once you've selected the right food safe wood sealant, proper application is key. Prepare the wood surface by sanding smoothly and cleaning off any dust and debris. Apply the sealant according to the manufacturer's directions.

Most sealants will take 72 hours to fully cure before food contact. Do not use wood items until the curing time is complete.

Maintenance varies based on sealant type. Reapply oils frequently, around once per month. Waxes and resins need renewed every 1-12 months. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for best results.

FAQs

Polyurethane is controversial for food contact use. Once fully cured it may be considered food safe. However, many prefer to avoid polyurethane and choose naturally derived, FDA-approved sealants.

Durability ranges widely. Longer-lasting options like shellac and tung oil may last 6-12 months before needing renewal. Oils and waxes often need reapplied monthly or every 3-6 months with frequent use.

True food safe wood sealants use non-toxic ingredients free from dangerous solvents and chemicals. Natural products like mineral oil, beeswax, and plant oils are ideal options. The FDA provides guidance on food safe ratings.

Applying the appropriate wood sealant ensures your cutting boards, utensils, and other wood items won't contaminate food. Natural oils, waxes, and resins all create safe protective barriers against bacteria, toxins, and moisture damage.

Consider the durability and food contact frequency needed when choosing a sealant. Oils require more maintenance while waxes and resins are longer-lasting. Always read labels for FDA-approval and safe ingredients. Follow directions during application and maintenance.

With the right food safe wood sealant, you can enjoy handcrafted wood cookware with peace of mind that your food stays contaminant-free.