The Best Non-Toxic Cutting Boards For A Healthy Home
If you’re looking for the best material for a non-toxic cutting board, we have all the details you need to slice and dice without harmful chemicals. We help you choose a non-toxic cutting board that’s best for preparing meals without formaldehyde-based adhesives.
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Whether you’re chopping, slicing or dicing a pile of vegetables or a slab of meat, you may not have put much thought into the material your cutting board is made of. But, for both health and environmental reasons, there are certain advantages that some cutting board materials have over others, especially a solid wood, non-toxic cutting board.
When preparing a healthy meal for your family, you don’t want your food exposed to harmful chemicals that may be in your cutting board. Choose a solid wood, non-toxic cutting board for the healthiest way to prep your food. Beyond cutting boards, look for non-plastic kitchen products and do a detox of the products in your home, tossing items that are endocrine disruptors like air fresheners.
Let’s have a closer look at materials you should avoid in kitchen cutting boards and what material to look for in a good, non-toxic cutting board:
Materials To Avoid In Cutting Boards
- Microban– If your cutting board claims to be antimicrobial, antibacterial, or low odor, it contains Microban. Microban is a proprietary mix of chemicals that may contain Triclosan, an endocrine-disrupting chemical that can cause bacterial resistance (1). Microban is engineered to protect products from bacteria, mold and in some cases algae that can cause stains, odors and product deterioration. Microban protection is not designed to protect users from disease causing microorganisms.
- Plastic– Plastic cutting boards may contain chemicals like phthalates, DEHA and Bisphenols, all of which are endocrine disruptors, that are often used in the production of plastic items. If you place hot food on a cutting board or if the board is scratched, this can cause either chemical leaching or microscopic pieces of plastic to migrate onto your food. Aside from the risk of being exposed to endocrine-disrupting plasticizers, plastic cutting boards are not as hygienic as wooden cutting boards when it comes to bacteria. After a sharp knife makes permanent cut marks in the plastic board, bacteria can migrate into these crevices and become a breeding ground for more bacteria. A 1994 study found that bacteria levels on plastic cutting boards were significantly higher than bacteria levels on wood cutting boards measured several hours after inoculation with an equal amount of bacteria (2). When it comes to the environment, plastic cutting boards will not decompose or biodegrade in your lifetime and contribute to our overall plastic pollution problem.
- Composite Cutting Boards (including melamine bamboo & epicurean wood fiber)- Avoid cutting boards made of wood or bamboo pieces that are glued together with binding resins and adhesives, since they often contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and other additives.
- Cutting Boards Treated With Chemical-Based Wood Stains (like acrylic and urethane) or treated with non-food grade mineral oil, which contains glyphosate and atrazine. These stains and treatments are in direct contact with your food.
What Material Is Best For A Cutting Board?
Solid wood– Look for hardwood cutting boards made from a solid block of wood that does not use glues or resins to attach any pieces together. Wood has antibacterial properties, and if bacteria is trapped in the grains, it cannot survive and replicate. Wooden cutting boards also don’t dull your knife edge as much as a material like hard stone or glass. What types of wood are best for cutting boards? Look for maple, walnut, cherry, beech, or teak wood.
Second best: If you need a large cutting board surface, you may not be able to find a big enough solid wood piece. If this is the case, I have one recommendation for a teak cutting board (Ziruma Teak Cutting Board) that has solid wood boards glued together with formaldehyde-free, food safe glue.
Non-Toxic Cutting Boards
By investing in a non-toxic cutting board, you not only ensure the safety and quality of the meals you prepare but also contribute to a healthier lifestyle for you and your family. Beyond non-toxic cutting boards, using non-toxic kitchen and cooking utensils is an important consideration if you want to cut down on toxins in the kitchen. Non-toxic bakeware and non-toxic cookware are also important kitchen items to stock up on for a healthy home.
Look below for the best non-toxic cutting boards that are free from plastic. Reducing your exposure to microplastics and other harmful chemicals like BPA is an important step to a healthier home.
Adirondack Kitchen Cherry Wood Cutting Board– Made of solid cherry wood. All products are hand rubbed with an all-natural, homemade beeswax and coconut oil polish for protection and glow. Finish is non-toxic, 100% food safe, with zero VOCs. You can choose from a selection of different woods and sizes- Adirondack Kitchen Cutting Boards.
Rugged Woodworking Maple Cutting Board– Handcrafted from a single solid piece of premium hardwood. The boards are finished with USDA certified organic fractionated coconut oil, carnauba wax, and local beeswax. No wood glues, stains or dyes that could be transferred to your wood are used. You can choose from a large selection of high-quality hardwoods and sizes- Rugged Woodworking UT Cutting Boards.
Maple Landmark Maple Cutting Board– Made in Vermont, USA from hardwood maple. 13″ long, 5″ wide and 3/4″ thick solid maple. Unfinished wood.
Cherry Wood Cutting Board– This board is made of one solid piece of cherry wood. It’s finished with beeswax and smells great.
Dream Wood Wild Cherry Cutting Board– Wild black cherry cutting board with no glue seams is 9 3/8” by 14 3/8” & 1/4″ thick. Sanded and finished with vegetable oil. Made in small batches from trees cut from managed woodlot in Michigan.
Koehl Karpentry Walnut Cutting Board– Made from one solid single piece of walnut wood- no glue or joints. 16x12x1.75″ Will finish with fractionated coconut oil upon request- Just write “fractionated coconut oil” in the special notes section when you place your order.
Scatter Creek Wood Cutting Board– This solid maple wood cutting board comes in one piece and uses no glue. 8″ x 12″ x 3/4″. Finished with non-toxic coconut oil and beeswax/carnauba wax finish.
Hinoki Cypress Wood Cutting Board– One piece hinoki cypress wood that has no knots, is not glued, and is not coated. It has 1.2 inch thickness. The cutting board has an characteristic cypress wood smell to it.
Caraway Cutting Board Set– A Large, Medium, and Small board made with FSC-certified Birch Wood and finished with food-safe mineral oil & wax.
Walnut Wood Cutting Board– Made from locally-sourced, black walnut hardwoods and sealed with Tried & True Original Wood Finish, an environmentally-friendly, food-safe finish.
StenWoodLab Wood Cutting Board– One Piece Maple Wood – This thick, solid, hard maple cutting board is handmade in the USA. It comes in small, medium and large sizes. Finished with a blend of food-grade mineral oil and beeswax.
What Finishes Are Best For Protecting A Wood Cutting Board
The one downside of a wood cutting board is that it will need to be oiled occasionally. I would oil a wooden cutting board with a finish that’s worthy of eating off, like beeswax, fractionated coconut oil, walnut oil, linseed oil (from flaxseeds), carnauba wax or MCT oil.
Non-Toxic Board Oils
EmpireSquid Organics Board Butter– Made with organic coconut oil, beeswax, essential oils and vitamin E. A star seller on Etsy!
Redwood Bluepine Cutting Board Oil– Redwood Bluepine Wood Salve is an all natural, non toxic wood finish for cutting boards, butcher blocks, bowls, utensils, toys, pretty much anything made of wood. Handcrafted in small batches from fractionated coconut oil and beeswax. Both are Oregon Tilth certified organic. Coconut oil helps prevent wood from drying and cracking, and beeswax provides an extra layer of protection from liquids and stains.
Rugged Woodworking UT Organic Wood Conditioner– A premium blend of 100% pure organic fractionated coconut oil, carnauba wax and locally sourced beeswax.
Rugged Woodworking UT Organic Board Oil– available in 2-ounce and 4-ounce glass spray bottles, crafted with a premium blend of 100% pure organic fractionated coconut oil, carnauba wax, and beeswax.
Caron & Doucet Cutting Board Oil– 100% plant-based cutting board oil (does not contain petroleum chemicals like mineral oil). Made with FOOD GRADE coconut oil and enhanced with natural essential oils.
Silicone Cutting Board
Although wood is my first choice for a non-toxic cutting board, silicone is a great alternative if you want a cutting board that you can put in the dishwasher. If you’re really squeamish about cutting meat on a wood cutting board, silicone is a great option that you can put in the dishwasher.
I like this Liflicon Silicone Cutting Board, which is heat resistant from -40°F to 482°F.
Tempered Glass Cutting Board
While tempered glass is sturdy, it can still break or shatter if dropped or hit with enough force. Use a tempered glass cutting board for cutting soft foods that don’t require precision, like fruits or sandwiches. You can also use them as a sanitary surface for tasks like rolling dough or kneading.
Glass is non-porous, so it doesn’t absorb liquids, bacteria, or odors. This makes it easier to clean and safer for food preparation. A tempered glass cutting board can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher without risk of warping or degrading. Glass cutting boards are hard and can quickly dull knife blades, making them less ideal for frequent chopping.
Stainless Steel Cutting Boards
Like glass, stainless steel is non-porous, so it won’t absorb liquids, bacteria, or odors. Stainless steel cutting boards are dishwasher-safe and simple to sanitize, making them convenient for maintaining cleanliness.
Stainless steel is very hard, which can dull knife blades over time, and cutting on stainless steel can be noisy, which some users might find bothersome. It can also become slippery, especially when wet, making it less stable for cutting certain foods.
Worktop Cutting Board
When I need a clean surface for rolling out pie dough, shaping cookies, and kneading bread dough, I use a marble worktop cutting board. This surface will dull knives very quickly, so it is best for bread and bakery items.
Fox Run Marble Pastry Board– Made of 100% genuine marble – 16 x 20 x 0. 75 inch. A natural elegant stone with unique patterns and colorations; Due to natural variations in the marble, color may differ from the images. Non-slip rubber feet on bottom, provides protection for your countertop.
How To Clean A Cutting Board
Rinse your cutting board with warm water and apply a few squirts of dish soap. Attitude Dish Soap does not contain any undisclosed fragrance or irritating ingredients. Use a sponge to scrub the cutting board, then rinse and let the cutting board dry.
How To Disinfect A Cutting Board
If you’ve just cut raw meat on your wood cutting board, just washing it may not be enough for some people, and as a germophobe, I get it! I recommend rinsing off any stray tidbits, then spraying the whole surface of the cutting board with Force of Nature non-toxic disinfectant. After 10 minutes, rinse the board with dish soap and hot water and let it dry before storing it or using it again.
Force of Nature is on EPA’s List of Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. This is my favorite disinfectant, and I highly recommend it! It disinfects & sanitizes with no toxic chemicals and is kid and pet friendly. Force of Nature is a broad-spectrum disinfectant and sanitizer that’s EPA registered for use in hospitals, ICUs, daycares, schools, veterinary clinics, gyms, restaurants & more. It kills 99.9% of germs: Staph, MRSA, Norovirus, Influenza A, Salmonella, and Listeria. How does it work? Salt, water and vinegar are converted to electrolyzed water when an electrical current changes the chemical composition of the solution into two new ingredients.
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References
(1)Weatherly, L. and Gosse, J. Triclosan Exposure, Transformation, and Human Health Effects. J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. 2017; 20(8): 447–469.
(2) Ak NO, Cliver DO, Kaspar CW. Cutting Boards of Plastic and Wood Contaminated Experimentally with Bacteria. J Food Prot. 1994 Jan;57(1):16-22. doi: 10.4315/0362-028X-57.1.16. PMID: 31113021.