Is a plastic cutting board harmful?

If you, like most chefs, are obsessed with your knives in the kitchen, you should also consider cutting boards. Chopping boards, which usually come to mind later, blunt knives on hard surfaces like countertops or plates; it also prevents scratches on the countertop. This is why a comfortable kitchen should have several different surfaces for a large number of products to be cut. To do this, you can purchase cutting boards of different shapes, sizes and materials. Or, by choosing the right cutting board, you can safely and accurately cut everything from vegetables and bread to raw meat.

When it comes to cutting boards, there are some important things to know about plastic cutting boards in particular. For example, do you put your plastic cutting boards in the dishwasher? If the answer is yes, you may be exposing yourself to endocrine disruptors that interfere with hormone production!

Is a plastic cutting board harmful?

Plastic cutting boards are positioned as the healthiest option because they are antimicrobial and dishwasher safe. But plastic contains endocrine disruptors like BPA and phthalates. Under certain conditions (e.g. heat, sun), plastic can release these substances. A 2022 study found that placing reusable plastic water bottles in the dishwasher causes chemicals to migrate from the bottle into the drinking water inside. So it’s likely that the same applies to plastic cutting boards.

You may think you’re sanitizing cutting boards by putting them in the dishwasher, but in fact, the next time you use the board, it can dissolve harmful chemicals in the plastic that can contaminate your food. In addition, the cutting process creates deep grooves in the plastic that can harbor bacteria, making it extremely difficult to completely sanitize used plastic cutting boards in the dishwasher. You really need to use a brush to clean those grooves. So if you’re using a plastic cutting board, try cleaning it well yourself instead of washing it in the dishwasher.

In an earlier study from the University of Wisconsin, researchers placed several bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella, on both used and new wooden and plastic cutting boards. Wooden cutting boards consistently outperformed plastic cutting boards in terms of bacterial safety. So what is the lesson to be learned from this story? Wooden cutting boards can be healthier than plastic ones and better for your hormonal health.

Some plastic cutting boards can also be coated with antibacterial agents to prevent bacterial growth. A very common antibacterial chemical used for this purpose is Microban, which contains the antibacterial ingredient triclosan. The FDA does not recognize triclosan as safe because of its hormone-disrupting properties! Although triclosan has been phased out of handwashes and sanitizers, it still poses a hidden danger in other everyday products, including cutting boards.

Finally; Some people also use harsh chemicals, such as bleach diluted with water, to clean plastic cutting boards. This poses a terrible risk of contaminating your food with such chemicals. If you put foods rich in tomatoes or turmeric in a plastic container, you will see them turn red or yellow. This is due to the fact that the components have seeped into the plastic matrix. Harsh cleaners can just get into your board and potentially contaminate the food you cut on it.

So which cutting board is best?

Plastic cutting boards are bad, yes. So which cutting board is best? At the moment, there are many alternatives that are as easy to use as plastic cutting boards, but safer for health.

For example, you might be wondering if a glass cutting board is healthy. Glass has a non-porous surface that does not provide the necessary space for bacteria to live. In addition, like plastic cutting boards, glass cutting boards can be washed in the dishwasher. However, glass cutting boards also have some drawbacks. Cutting objects on glass can be noisy and the glass can break, making it a dangerous material for homes with children or pets. The hard surfaces of glass cutting boards also dull knives quickly. This is why glass cutting boards can be the most useful material, especially for rolling out dough or doing other non-cutting kitchen chores.

When it comes to the healthiest cutting board, another option is wooden cutting boards. For example, look for solid wood cutting boards that are made without glue and coated with a non-toxic oil like beeswax or grated coconut oil instead of mineral oil/petroleum based wax. You can find these types of wood cutting boards under different brand names, or find a carpenter to do it for you. From a health standpoint, you may also want to consider using two different cutting boards for meats, fruits, and vegetables as a best practice.

Which cutting board is best?

About cutting board is a plastic cutting board harmful, is a glass cutting board useful, which cutting board is healthier We’ve answered frequently asked questions such as: As a result, replacing a plastic cutting board with a wooden one can be a quick strategy to reduce toxins in your kitchen. Also, as we mentioned above, you can try using two different cutting boards for meat and vegetables. In this way, you can create a safer kitchen environment and protect your food from possible health risks.

Sources: mindbodygreen, forbes

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