We recently ditched the plastic cutting boards for wood at our house.

Both Bethanie and I have read that plastic cutting boards lead to microplastics in your food which is hazardous to our health. So we officially made the switch to wood a few weeks ago. We are doing the two board method: one for fruits and veggies and one for meats.

I’ve included links to the Food & Wine article as well as the academic journal articles on PubMed at the end of this post.

When it comes to choosing the right cutting board for your kitchen, we believe wood is the superior choice. Here are a few more reasons to pick wood over plastic:

• Durability: Wood cutting boards are incredibly durable and can last for years with proper care. Unlike plastic boards, which can easily get scratched and harbor bacteria, wood boards maintain their integrity over time.
  
  
• Knife-Friendly: Wood is gentler on your knives, helping to keep them sharper for longer. Plastic boards can dull your knives quickly, leading to more frequent sharpening.
  
  
• Natural Antibacterial Properties: Wood has natural antibacterial properties that make it a safer choice for food preparation. Studies have shown that wood can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria more effectively than plastic.
  
  
• Eco-Friendly: Wood is a renewable resource, making it an environmentally friendly choice. By choosing a wood cutting board, you are supporting sustainable practices and reducing plastic waste.
  
  
• Aesthetic Appeal: A beautifully crafted wood cutting board adds warmth and elegance to your kitchen. Each board has its unique grain pattern, making it a one-of-a-kind piece.

There are certainly some instances where plastic may be more appropriate for use than wood. For example, plastic boards are easier to sanitize and can be washed in a dishwasher, whereas wood boards must be hand washed and given a maintenance application of food-safe oil or board butter several times a year. Plastic boards are also less expensive but wear down more quickly which can present a scenario of cost vs price. Wood costs more up front but plastic wears out more quickly requiring earlier or more frequent replacement.

We’ve added wood cutting boards to our online store or you can find some of them at the Vicksburg Makers Market in downtown Vicksburg, MI. We also have our own line of board butter available for cutting board maintenance.

foodandwine.com/are-plastic-cutting-boards-safe-8624857
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37220346