Wooden utensils, such as spoons and bowls, require food-safe finishes to ensure they are safe for use. While food-grade mineral oil is commonly used to seal wooden surfaces that come into direct contact with food, the question remains: Is there a food-safe paint for wood?
In this article, we will explore the ingredients to look for in a food-safe paint product and reveal a biodegradable, VOC-free paint that is safe to use around food. We will also discuss why wooden cutting boards are rarely covered in paint.
What Type of Wood Paint is Food Safe?
The only kind of wood paint that is truly food-safe is one that contains food-safe resins and coatings. These paints only include ingredients that are listed as food-safe resins by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are commonly used in areas that could come into direct or indirect contact with food and water, such as eateries, water tanks, and meat processing plants.
It's important to note that while some paint products claim to be food-safe once dry, certain types of paint, like acrylic paint, can melt if they come in contact with very hot food. This poses the risk of paint chemicals contaminating the food. To ensure food safety, it is essential to check the FDA's list of food-safe resins and coatings.
Can You Actually Buy Food Safe Paint?
Yes, you can! When purchasing a paint product that claims to be food-safe, it is crucial to cross-check the label against the FDA's list of food-safe resins. However, if you prefer a non-toxic paint that is readily available, Milk Paint is your best choice.
Milk paint is composed of natural ingredients and eliminates the toxic chemicals typically found in wood paints. It uses harmless milk proteins, calcium carbonate (lime), and natural pigments to add color to wood. Unlike other paints, milk paint is 100% natural and does not release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are responsible for the strong fumes emitted by acrylic and oil paints.
Milk paint is sold as a dry powder that can be mixed with water. Once mixed, the paint should be used within 24 hours. It dries within 30 minutes and leaves behind an odorless, heat-resistant, and permanent color on raw wooden surfaces. The best part is, there's no need to prime the wood before applying milk paint.
What About the Disadvantages of Using Milk Paint on Wood?
While milk paint offers many advantages, there are a few key disadvantages to consider:
A) Bonding
Milk paint does not contain strong chemical bonding agents, making it biodegradable and environmentally safe. If not enough coats of milk paint are applied, it can easily scrape off.
B) Thin Coat
Milk paint has a watery consistency, which requires it to be mixed with a significant amount of water. As a result, the paint's coverage is thinner compared to other wood paints. To achieve a thick enough coat, at least four coats of milk paint are necessary.
C) Matte Finish
Unlike other wood paints that offer a range of finishes, milk paint only provides a matte finish. It does not contain glossy chemical additives, leaving the final appearance with a waxy matte texture.
Can You Stain a Cutting Board to Add Color?
We do not recommend using any kind of stain on a cutting board. Since cutting boards are used to prepare food, wood stain will eventually come into direct contact with the edible items. Wood stains, even if labeled as "food-safe," are not the best choice for cutting boards.
However, there is an alternative food-grade wood stain: coffee! Using coffee as a stain is a cost-effective way to add color to a cutting board without compromising its safety. For more information on staining cutting boards with coffee, check out our post: Can You Apply Wood Stain to a Cutting Board?
What About Acrylic Paint? Is It Food Safe?
No, acrylic paint is not food-safe. Acrylic paints contain micro-plastics and chemical pigments that are unsafe for contact with food or water. It is essential to avoid using acrylic paint on wooden spoons, bowls, or cutting boards. To learn more about this topic, you can refer to our post: Is Acrylic Paint Food Safe Enough for a Cutting Board?
How About Enamel Paint? Is It Food Safe?
Enamel paints are not food-safe. Water-based enamel paints contain toxic ingredients like white lead, while oil-based enamel paints are even worse when it comes to food safety, as they contain poisonous methyl alcohol. It is crucial to keep enamel paint away from any food-related surfaces.
To sum it up, a food-safe paint should not contain any toxic or poisonous ingredients. Milk paint is an environmentally friendly option that can be applied directly onto raw wooden surfaces. However, it is not recommended to use food-safe paint on cutting boards, as regular washing can damage the paint. Instead, protect and seal cutting boards with pure food-grade mineral oil to prevent wood rot.
References:
- Enamel (Paint) - an overview | ScienceDirect
- White Lead - Wikipedia
