Updated article : 31/07/2019
We encourage you to eat healthy foods and cooking yourself more often possible. You have probably already wondered what was the best cutting board.
Should we choose a wooden plank or a plastic ? Would wooden plank be, as so-called, less hygienic ? A Board used plastic doesn't risk free small pieces of plastic in food ? What are the tips to have a Board of impeccably clean ? Food dangers led the investigation to illuminate your lanterns for the purchase of your next cutting board !
Let's start with a small summary on different cutting boards market.
Wooden planks
Beech Board : It is the most common Board. The wood is relatively hard but may warp in contact with water.
Exotic wooden plank : Very resistant, rot-proof but not very environmentally friendly because it participates in the deforestation of tropical forests (Asia, Africa, South America).
Bamboo Board : It does not penetrate water (so does gondola) and is highly resistant. Indeed, It is harder than beech or maple. It is also rather ecological since bamboo is a renewable resource (It is not necessary to replant because bamboo repels all alone and very quickly). Attention however to the finish, If the Board is not perfectly smooth plan on sanding with Emery to avoid small splinters.
The downside of wooden planks, in general, It is that they eventually deform to some and to split due to moisture if they are not solid wood.
Plastic boards
PVC Board (Polyvinyl chloride) : Non-porous, very solid, would ensure a total hygiene (lowest disadvantages).
HDPE Board (polyethylene high density) : Non-porous, would ensure a total hygiene, It is very rigid and resistant.
The tempered glass Board
It is resistant to high temperatures, washes very well, can go in the dishwasher and is not afraid of scratches from knives. Attention to a Board with non-slip pads. The sensation of cutting is different, You must love… The glass is very hard for knives, think about sharpening often.
The marble Board
Uncommon, the marble is very heavy to carry but, like glass, it washes very well and is not afraid of scratches from knives. Like glass, the marble quickly damage knives.
What is the most hygienic Board ?
The
microbiologist from the University of California, Dean Cliver, has conducted an experiment [3], [4], to know that she was the Board the more hygienic between wooden plank, plastic and marble. He filed at the center of the boards bacteria, It was then soaked, washed with conventional detergent then dried. Samples have been made at the centre boards and edges.
- It found that the marble Board showed some signs of bacteria but that were present on the surface of the plank ! Indeed, as the Board is smooth, the bacteria have spread everywhere contaminating the entire surface (even if the layer of bacteria remains low).
- Wooden plank presents in places of the small colonies of bacteria. The wood being porous, In contrast to the marble, bacteria have remained where they were applied. They do not spread and thus contaminate not any Board.
Most surprising, wood is naturally the germs would rid. Cliver explains that the wood "is a very porous material by this fact., the liquid is sucked into the wood by capillarity. When there's bacteria in the liquid, they come in wood and come back ever in life., and adds that «»[bacteria] die slowly. It may take a few hours and finally they are no longer able to cause any problems".
After 12 h, It was indeed left traces of bacteria but had reduced their number of 98 % more from 99,9% in some cases [5].
- The Board plastic presents more bacteria that the other two boards. Bacteria lodge in the small cavities and scratches and are thus not eliminated by washing. Worse, they reproduce faster and more easily in these cavities, explains the microbiologist.
Conclusion : The best Board is wood. The Board marble arrives even before the Board plastic, who is in the last position. These results do not surprise the teacher because he, in many similar experiences, wood always ends up winner.
Other problems of plastic
Unlike the boards HDPE, PVC are toxic !
Indeed, as we have seen in section Is bottled water dangerous ?, PVC is considered hazardous to health and the environment. It contains the lead, cadmium, of phthalates and DEHA.
Bis adipate(2-ethylhexyl), also known as DEHA, is a chemical that can cause cancer (study on laboratory animals), to have negative impacts on the liver, the kidneys, the spleen and bone formation [1] [2].
Phthalates contaminate food when the plastic is in contact with food. Can say that the contact time is very low for a food that is on a Board (compared to water bottles, cans, etc.), that phthalates migrate to food. This is surely true, But what is for small plastic pieces that break off plastic boards worn by knives, end up directly in our stomachs (even in very small quantities) ? Although often, scratching a little with her fingernail, It can very easily pick up a bit of plastic Board.
Cutting particularly worn plastic Board
Recommendations
It is recommended by experts to use two cutting boards, one for meat and one for fruits and vegetables, in order to avoid contamination between several raw food.
Replace the boards too much waste.
Tip : It is possible to plane wooden plank to make new smooth. So do something for the environment and economy for your portfolio.
You'll understand, We recommend wooden cutting boards, but as says the microbiologist Cliver, It is necessary that the Board is in a very hard wood to prevent germs grow in deep scratches caused by knives.
There are boards that are equipped with an antibacterial coating. It is first and foremost a marketing argument because according to studies, efficacy against germs is relative and the coating would start quickly.
Tips for washing your boards :
Clean the Board after each use.
- Wash your boards with the detergent and rub well.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Disinfect with slightly enriched with water of bleach (5ml to 500ml of water). Attention however to rinse very thoroughly the plank because bleach is not a food product (This step does not unanimously).
- To finish, allow to dry in the open air, or dry with a clean, dry cloth.
It is also possible to wash his surfboard in boiling water but this is not always possible for large boards.
Attention : do not pass your wooden board in the dishwasher !
Here is a selection of wooden cutting boards that we can recommend :
Main sources :
[1]. The Government of Canada chemical substances Web site (www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.GC.ca)
[2]. Technical Fact Sheet on Di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate.
[3]. amgar.blog.processalimentaire.com
[4]. barfblog.FoodSafety.KSU.edu
[5]. www.IngentaConnect.com
Hello, the bacteriological study also carried onstage in tempered glass ? If Yes, What is the result for this type of Board ?
Hello, the study did in fact not onstage in tempered glass. We assume that the results may be similar to marble boards.
I think that the plastic is not good.
ainsci than most of the wooden.
Why and cutting biebn ,We REC-real grooves.
And the s nouritures deposit.
So this may n that cause problems.
By contrast effectively with tempered glass.
There are more this problem.
I find not normal that this site n not talk
Note that to avoid the furrows in wooden planks, just use craft boards made of wood. Indeed, the fibres being end are not cut and when cleaning the plank with a damp sponge, some traces of knife close by inflation of fibres. Thus the furrows disappear leaving no chance to bacteria.
Kind regards.
Hello!
I would have liked a more comprehensive taking into account chemical hazards associated with cleaning and disinfection, more particularly the plank of wood. This type of Board is considered bactericidal, Surely ' happens to chemicals in contact?
you are quite right, the best cleaning for health is to use the most economical and environmentally friendly solvent, I am referring to the water. To clean my wooden planks, I pass under the tap, I vigorously rubbed with a green to recover when she is fat, I wipe it with a microfiber and then dry with a clean cloth.
I use no chemical.
The fight against bacteria is also provided by drying for a few hours in the air between each use. This is confirmed by the findings of the study described above.
Kind regards.
Additional tip,
After washing, pass with a Microfiber, a little white household vinegar. Cheap and very ( 60CT the L) effective against bacteria., and away flies and other flying insects , especially if you live like me, the campaign !!!!
In fact, wood, glass and marble are the best materials. I clean them with white vinegar. It is a food product. Incidentally I use white vinegar for almost everything.
Hi all
Why suggest that wooden or plastic boards would be dangerous ? What it is is the lack of cleaning, disinfection of the tool, for example let the dirty sink Board while it is preferable to wash immediately. There are other organic food products for a total disinfection in depth.
Namely that wood in the dishwasher twists ouse cracks if 1 the Board is of poor quality 2 If it is not good store when it must dry
Since 85 years, Baribocraft French franc Canadian lumber to ensure the quality of its products. The question of the safety of the planks of wood is often questioned because urban legends are ubiquitous. The study by the University of California joined other similar studies that conclude that wooden plank is the best. Health Canada and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and food of Quebec do not prohibit the use of wood in the kitchen. They advocate measures of hygiene established in the food sector. Therefore, a wooden plank must be washed in clean soapy water, essuyée et… Read more "
Once again, the microbiologist at the University of California confirms that wood is the best material for job boards. Urban legends have hard life next to the wooden planks and this kind of study should reassure consumers. For more than 85 years, Baribocraft Canada uses Canadian hardwood for its high-quality products recognized around the world.
Quickly, I'm going to buy a Board Baribocraft Canada because Baribocraft Canada uses Canadian hardwood!
Most never of questionable wood instead of france wood Canadian Baribocraft Canada !
I understand the jam of crane or I need a third message ?
Thank you for these very interesting information…
🙂
I would have liked to have done the analysis with the Board of plastic washed in the dishwasher. The results would be different.
I have also doubts on the veracity of the article. It affirmed that the PVC contiendrai lead. It makes 40 years that lead is banned in the manufacture of PVC compound. I do not think that there are still boards manufactured prior to the ' 80s…
Good article, damage however of concluer the cleaning process by a disinfection with bleach, highly toxic to the health of people who cook everything as for the environment. What is the wood fibre boards, which he is said anything here… I find on other internet pages of assertions that they would be “ecological”, but no arguments accompany them!
Hello, I think that the wood has been proven long long before the middle ages,
It is sufficient to properly wash his Board, former butcher it scratched the logs in beech said( standing timber) furring strips were standing for more hardness. Stop being paranoid.
Manufacturer of beech wood products since 1948 and including cutting boards in wood of beech and charm (beech and the charming part of the wood warranty contact and slicing of food), the wood is a safe value for this use. Actually, We recommend an immediate cleaning with warm water directly after use with an addition of vinegar which is very economical and perfect against bacteria, and ambient air drying, Board update on the instalment (Standing). Pensez à huiler votre planche en bois avec de l’huile végétal afin de la… Read more "
Dear M round, or M square, I lost me with those new names.
My heart balance between hardwood Canadian and not franc beech and non-Canadian a priori.
Which one is best ?
The lack of 20 years of experience compared to Baribocraft Canada is it disadvantageous to manufacture a chopping board rectangular with a hole to hang it ?
hehehehehehe
should not take children of the good God for wild ducks.
me, for years : 1 wooden plank (no idea of the brand) and a glass Board (but good slopes who fear the glass, teeth grinding and ears which more, prefer wood)
…. good knives… do not add to the confusion….
……. and teeth that Squeak, thin…
Super site, Thank you
Hello, I realize objects made from wine barrels ( so in solid oak). Most of the restaurants who I proposed my products are blocked by the hygiene control services. They say a ban on plateaus and services wooden.
How can I get my products food certification or retrieve a such study as quoted in your article ?
Thanks for your help.
Hello,
I wanted to know where can I find like cutting boards for professional use at prices not cheap.
Thank you for your return.
Hello, can tell me if the cutting board like the skin of a head is fragile .
if it is marked by knives .
Thank you , I love watching this show .