Wood

What it is

Wood is a natural plant material. Under our definition, wood that hasn't been chemically modified isn't plastic. That makes solid wood one of the simplest swaps for items that touch food, such as chopping boards and utensils.

When isn't wood plastic-free?

We judge a product part by part, so these need a closer look:

• Varnish and lacquer. Many are polymer coatings, and a polymer coating on a contact surface counts as plastic, however thin. Choose bare or oiled wood for anything that touches food.
• Composite boards. If a listing mentions "wood fibre", "composite", "resin" or "binder", that binder is a polymer, so the item counts as plastic.
• Glued pieces. Boards made from strips use glue, which we list as a minor plastic component. A single piece of wood avoids that.
• Add-ons. Grip feet are often synthetic rubber, and some handles have plastic parts.

Is wood safe for food?

A 2023 review of wood and bamboo food contact materials by Guan et al. found that most contaminants came from added materials: resins, paints and coatings, preservatives and bleaching agents. Paints and coatings can pose a risk of heavy metals moving into food. It also notes that some wood species contain constituents that shouldn't be used in contact with food, so stick to established kitchen woods and a seller who names the species.

Preservatives can also be a problem, though the evidence is limited. One study of 120 chopping boards in a Chinese city found the wood preservative PCP-Na in five wooden boards, all from farmers' markets, with transfer to food falling sharply after repeated use. It can't tell us about boards on sale in the UK, but it's a good reason to buy from a seller who can answer questions, and to wash a new board before using it.

Is wood hygienic?

A review by Aviat et al. (2016) concluded that wood is suitable for direct food contact, and that its porous surface isn't in itself what limits its hygiene. Wood can also contain natural antimicrobial compounds. Direct comparisons of boards are more mixed, though, and scratched wood has performed worse than scratched plastic in one test. Our chopping board comparison goes through those studies.

Wood doesn't clean itself. The Food Standards Agency advises using separate boards for raw meat, fruit and vegetables, and ready-to-eat food where you can. If you can't, prepare fruit and vegetables first and raw meat last, washing with soap afterwards.

Looking after it

• Wash by hand in hot, soapy water and rinse straight after use.
• Dry it standing on its edge.
• Don't soak it or put it in the dishwasher.
• Rub in a plain food-safe oil when it looks dry.
• Sand out deep cuts, or retire the item when grooves won't come clean.

A well-kept wooden spoon or board can last for years, which is part of its appeal. For more kitchen changes, see our plastic-free kitchen guide. If you're considering bamboo instead, see bamboo.