In the past few years, epoxy resin has become trendy, eye-catching, and a very popular way to glorify everyday items into works of art. Some of the most mundane products in life are being transformed, including simple cutting boards. These epoxy resin cutting boards offer unequaled vibrancy in colors, intricate designs, and a glossy finish-a combination of art and functionality. But like any tool being used within the kitchen confines, safety can always be an issue in such contexts.

The question then is whether epoxy resin cutting boards are safe for food preparation. The simplified answer to that is yes, but with caveats as relates to safety, usage, and maintenance.

What Is Epoxy Resin?

Before we get into safety, a brief explanation will be given on what the epoxy resin is: Epoxy resin is made up of two components-a resin and hardener. In combination, they provide a solid and durable surface with a high-gloss finish. Epoxy resin is used very often in crafts, from woodworking to home decoration purposes, as it can provide a crystal-clear surface and may either be colored or tinted or embedded with some decorative items, like dried flowers and glitter.

Is Epoxy Resin Food safe?

The single most critical factor when using epoxy resin near food is whether the resin itself is rated for use with food. Thankfully, many brands of epoxy resin are labelled to be food-safe once fully cured. Curing is a chemical process wherein the resin goes from liquid to solid. Once it is fully cured, it creates a non-toxic surface that is food-safe for light food preparation tasks.

Epoxy resins are not all created equal, and some may contain chemicals within their makeup that could be deemed unsafe for food contact, even in its cured state. It will be important to check with the manufacturer that the used epoxy resin is FDA compliant regarding the contact of food. Here at Wholesale Cutting Boards, we use only FDA-compliant, food-safe epoxy resin on our cutting boards; rest assured, you should have no issue using them in your kitchen.

Even though epoxy resin can be non-toxic, there are a number of factors to consider for safe usage when food preparation is involved:

Full Cure Time

The period for curing is important for the safety and durability of the surface of the epoxy resin. Normally, epoxy resin requires 24 to 72 hours depending on the product to completely set when environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature are considered. During this curing process, the resin emits fumes and is not considered food-safe. A cutting board made of epoxy resin must never be used until the resin in it is fully cured. You can test this by noting whether the recommended curing time by the manufacturer has passed and that the surface is no longer sticky or soft.

Use and Damaged Surface

Once fully set, the epoxy resin provides a hard surface that is even; remember here, epoxy is not knife-friendly. And though resin is pretty durable, it is equally capable of scratching and gauging if you use a sharp knife directly on the surface of the resin. With these scratches or cuts, over time, deep enough, it can expose the uncured resin beneath the surface-or, if there are any crevices, buildup of bacteria can compromise the safety of food.

Limit any potential damages by using your epoxy resin cutting board more as a serving board – perfect for cheese, fruits, bread, or other appetizers. Use the reverse side of the board with no epoxy or use a different plain wood cutting board to do your chopping and perform other heavy-duty food preparations.

Heat Resistance

Epoxy resin is not heat-resistant at all. Your cutting board might warp, the resin might crack, and it may even release some toxic fumes from high temperatures, which may result from hot pots or pans resting on the resin surface area. To ensure that your epoxy resin cutting board will last as long as possible, never use the board as a trivet or expose the board to excessive heat; this would mean always using heat-resistant trivets or pads when placing hot items anywhere in the kitchen.

Cleaning and Maintenance

For your Epoxy Resin Cutting Board to have a long life and stay out of trouble, proper cleaning and maintenance need to be performed. The board should immediately be cleaned after every use with warm soapy water and a soft cloth or sponge. Abrasive scrubbers or harsh chemicals must not be used due to their hazardous effect on the resin surface. Additionally, because the high heat and water pressure can degrade the resin, epoxy resin is not dishwasher-safe. You should always wash your board by hand in order to keep it looking nice and functional.

For extra protection, occasionally set food-safe mineral oil on the wood parts of your cutting board. This keeps the wood moisturized and prevents it from cracking or warping throughout many years of use.

When Not to Use Epoxy Resin Cutting Boards for Food Preparation

Pretty and helpful, but epoxy resin cutting boards are not for every job that involves food preparation. Here’s a number of scenarios where using an epoxy resin cutting board would just not be ideal:

Heavy chopping or dicing: For those instances, taking sharp knives right to the surface of the epoxy may result in scratching and gouging that would provide a conduit for bacteria to grow and pose a food safety risk.
Cutting raw meat on it: When handling raw meat, it should be cut up on a separate cutting board made of wood, free from epoxy, so bacteria does not seep into any scratch or crack.
Exposure to High Heat: Generally, epoxies are very heat sensitive; therefore, their use should be limited and kept away from high-temperature areas, such as near stovetops and ovens.

• The Bottom Line: Safe and in Style, with Proper Care

Epoxy resin cutting boards are nontoxic for food preparation, provided basic precautions are followed. Let the resin cure completely, never cut sharp knives directly, and clean it carefully after every use. Mainly using your epoxy resin cutting board as a serving board, plus good care, you will be enjoying the beauty and functionality of your epoxy resin cutting boards for years.

Wholesale Cutting Boards keeps in consideration safety and craftsmanship in each product offered. Therefore, each epoxy resin cutting board that is sold will be food-grade and also an exquisite addition to your kitchen.