4 Non-toxic cutting board alternatives

When it comes to the kitchen, cutting boards may be one of the most toxic things sitting right under our noses. The thing we cut our food on can unknowingly be adding the smallest shards of plastic and glue into our meals. If you are on a journey to swap out items in your home for non-toxic alternatives, your kitchen cutting boards can be an easy first step!

Why not plastic?

Plastic cutting boards, when cut on, can release microplastics with every slice of the knife. But what are microplastics? Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic, less than 5 millimeters in diameter, which have been polluting the environment and our bodies. According to foodandwine.com, "microplastics have been found in humans’ bloodstreams, lungs, and beyond and there’s no proven scientific way to rid them from the human body." This can lead to health problems, and while microplastics are very difficult to avoid altogether, swapping out your plastic cutting board is a great start.

Is bamboo safe?

Bamboo can be a great option for a non-toxic cutting board, and it is a very affordable option. However, when looking for a bamboo cutting board, be sure to find one that is constructed without glue. A scary amount of glues used to hold together bamboo cutting boards contain formeldahyde or other toxic substances. A great option for a non-toxic bamboo cutting board can be found here: https://amzn.to/4lASJ6U.

Best non-toxic alternatives

There are three things to look out for when searching for a non-toxic cutting board. First, make sure if there is glue holding it together, be sure that it is non-toxic. Second, when looking at wood cutting boards, you want to find one that is varnish-free. I made the mistake of buying a cheap wooden cutting board that was varnished, and it was obvious when I started cutting on it. I did not want varnish in my food, and I know you don't either. Third, find one that is easy to sanitize. That is what is so attractive about plastic cutting boards, they can be stuck in the dishwasher and sanitized after cutting raw meat without any worries of contamination.

Wood

Wood is a great non-toxic cutting board alternative. Not only are they gorgeous, but each one is so unique and can fit in as decor when not in use. I love using my wood boards for cutting and serving breads! The healthiest version of a wood cutting board is one that is a solid slab, no glue to worry about. If you like the beautiful designs of butcher block or artful boards, just be careful to look for brands with good reputations and non-toxic glue. Always be sure that the board is unfinished, as any varnish will flake off immediately with use.

Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a wood cutting board is the type of wood it is made out of. Below is a helpful graph showing the "janka" rating of common wood, the higher the rating the harder the wood. Hard maple (highlighted) is the most popular wood for cutting boards. This doesn't mean that you can't have a board with a lower rating, just know that it will scratch and dent easier.

Janka ratings of common cutting board woods

The other thing to keep in mind with wood cutting boards is that they require more care than your typical board. While it is possible to sanitize wooden cutting boards, I have never felt comfortable cutting raw meat on them. Also, they are not supposed to go in the dishwasher. Because wood is porous, water that is left sitting on the boards must be wiped up timely otherwise it could lead to mold issues. They should be washed with hot soapy water and then left to air dry completely before putting away, routinely treating them with a conditioner. This is my favorite: https://amzn.to/44tD8ix.

	John Boos Chop-N-Slice Series, Maple Wood Cutting Board w/Eased Corners, 1" Thick Butcher Block - Wooden Reversible Kitchen Prep Chopping Slab w/Edge Grain Construction, 16" x 10" https://amzn.to/4lm0kq8
	Real Solid Sapele Cutting Board One Piece No Glue Non Toxic All Whole Single Wood Butcher Block Thick Hard Wood Heavy Duty Edge Grain (Medium, 14.96"L*11.02"W*0.98"Th) https://amzn.to/3Ic30bf
	Sonder Los Angeles, Made in USA, Large Thick Maple Wood Cutting Board for Kitchen with Juice Groove, Sorting Compartment, Charcuterie Wooden Board 17x13x1.5 in (Gift Box Included) Natural https://amzn.to/3Gub1rF
	(This is a more expesive option but the end grain is beautiful) John Boos Block Large Reversible Wood Chopping Board, CCB Series, 20"x15"x2.25", Maple https://amzn.to/3TQMY9o

Glass and titanium

I am not too familiar with glass or titanium cutting boards, but they are a great option as they are non-toxic and completly safe for the dishwasher, making them perfect for using to cut raw meat. The main drawback: they dull your knives becuase the cutting surface is so hard. But if you are fine with sharpening your knives more frequently, a glass or titanium cutting board may be a great fit for you! They require no maintenance, and they are less expensive than the other non-toxic options.

	Tempered Glass Cutting Board for Kitchen, 2PCS Clear Chopping Board with Handle (16"x12" & 12"x8"), Scratch Resistant, Heat Resistant, Dishwasher Safe, Non Toxic, Easy to Clean https://amzn.to/40yqz4p
	100% Pure Titanium Cutting Board – EPA-Certified Antibacterial Cutting Boards, Double-Sided Pure Titanium Cutting Board for Kitchen and Outdoor Cooking (12"x8") https://amzn.to/45Oh30F

Paper composite (Epicurean)

Epicurean cutting boards are my go-to for a non-toxic option. They are paper composite and are green-guard certified for low emissions. While they are pressed together with phenol-formaldehyde, the final product has 0.001 ppm formaldehyde which does not change the natural levels of formaldehyde in the air. Becuase of the certifications that the Epicurean brand has when it comes to their chemical usage in their products, I will only buy my paper composite boards from them. They are slim, lightweight, and are dishwasher-safe. They also do not need any conditioner like wood cutting boards do. I currently have two, one with rubber feet and one without. I also really like the feel of the cutting boards, they have an almost soft texture. They come in a range of different colors and size options, below are my favorite.

	Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting Board, 14.5 x 11.25 Inch, Natural https://amzn.to/3GueG8T
	Epicurean All-In-One Cutting Board with Non-Slip Feet and Juice Groove, 17.5" × 13", Natural/Black https://amzn.to/46pGWnD

Your cutting board can be an easy switch to make when trying to move to a more natural kitchen. While we cannot get everything perfect in our homes to be non-toxic, there are some steps we can take to help keep our bodies safe!