Understanding Resin Safety

When envisioning resin, you think of that shiny glassy finish that makes a wood cutting board an art form. But again, the question remains: is resin safe to put on something that makes contact with food? Yes, but under a few circumstances.

Food-Grade Resin: The Key to Safety

First of all, when making resin art that will be safe for cutting boards, it’s all about the food-grade resin. Not all resins are equal, meaning some are for decoration purposes only. Others have a formula that makes them safe for food exposure. The term “food-grade” simply means that the resin has been tested and certified to meet standards of safety related to food. This is the kind of resin you would want if you are covering a cutting board.

The Curing Process

Whatever kind of resin you may have, the safety of your cutting board is measured by how well it cures. Curing is the process by which a liquid resin sets to a solid state. The resin, therefore, needs to cure completely in order to realize food-safety potential. This means giving it enough time, usually 72 hours, to become a hard, non-porous surface. If it isn’t fully cured, the resin could be sticky or soft, and when it’s like that it might find itself allowing the leaching of chemicals into food. Adequately cured, it forms a barrier keeping harmful substances from coming into contact with the food.

Real-life Cases

This trend of resin-coated cutting boards for kitchens and restaurants is on the rise. These boards are not just decor; they are meant for actual food prepping. The difference between such a safe and functional cutting board and a board meant for decoration lies in the quality of the resin and the curing process. If properly done, a resin-covered cutting board should be as safe as any other cutting board.

Safe When Done Right

This is why the resin art can be safely used to cover a cutting board, provided that the resin is food grade and fully cured. Your aesthetics in the kitchen will be upgraded, but at the same time, it will be practically safe for everyday use. But, as with any product that is going to have contact with food, keeping to guidelines is paramount. In the end, safety is about knowing what materials to use and how to use them properly.