Picket Slicing Boards and Micro organism

I’m sharing the science of wood reducing boards and micro organism, plus different advantages of wooden. I solely use wooden reducing boards in my kitchen. I by no means favored plastic reducing boards, and now research are backing me up.

At our household catering enterprise, the well being division required us to make use of plastic reducing boards as a result of “they had been extra sanitary”. Like so many well-intentioned authorities companies, they had been flawed.

We’ve a piece of butcher block countertop, plus six different boards, together with one handed down from my husband’s grandmother. (The highest board within the picture under.) With correct care, these boards can final a lifetime. You may’t say that about plastic boards.

Picket Slicing Boards and Micro organism

In “Plastic and Picket Slicing Boards” by Dean O. Cliver, they famous that “the U.S. Division of Agriculture informed us that they had no scientific proof to help their suggestion that plastic, somewhat than wood reducing boards be utilized in house kitchens”.

The issue is that whereas it could appear to be plastic is non-porous and might’t soak up liquids, with use the floor turns into knife-scarred. This tough floor is exceptionally troublesome to scrub, even with bleach or operating via the dishwasher.

Wooden, in contrast, exhibits the flexibility to halt the expansion of and kill micro organism utilized to its floor. Each new and used wood reducing boards preserve this skill equally nicely.

Wooden Versus Salmonella, Listeria and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli

In a research carried out on the College of Wisconsin (additionally by Dr. Cliver), they examined micro organism identified to provide meals poisoning – Salmonella, Listeria and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli.

These micro organism had been positioned on reducing boards made out of seven completely different species of bushes and 4 sorts of plastic. All of the wood boards persistently outperformed the plastic.

The scientists discovered that three minutes after contaminating a board that 99.9 p.c of the micro organism on wood boards had died, whereas not one of the micro organism died on plastic.

Bacterial numbers really elevated on plastic reducing boards held in a single day at room temperature, however the scientists couldn’t get well any micro organism from wood boards handled the identical method.

Dr. Cliver additionally discusses a case-control research of sporadic salmonellosis in “Plastic and Picket Slicing Boards”:

(This research) revealed that these utilizing wood reducing boards of their house kitchens had been lower than half as possible as common to contract salmonellosis, these utilizing artificial (plastic or glass) reducing boards had been about twice as possible as common to contract salmonellosis; and the impact of cleansing the board repeatedly after making ready meat on it was not statistically important.

Principally, wooden reducing boards kill micro organism.

Wooden binds up water, which micro organism must develop. Wooden additionally comprises antimicrobial compounds. (On condition that many different vegetation can be utilized as pure antibiotics, this isn’t totally stunning.)

Previous or new, wooden reducing boards add an additional line of protection to your kitchen.

Bamboo additionally has anti-bacterial properties, however it comprises silica, which might uninteresting or chip knives. Bamboo may warp or crack extra readily than wooden.

Survival of micro organism on wooden and plastic particles

The research “Survival of micro organism on wooden and plastic particles: Dependence on wooden species and environmental situations” in contrast micro organism progress (E. coli and E. faecium) in seven sorts sawdust and plastic (polyethylene chips).

They discovered that the sawdust lowered the micro organism rely, with pine and oak performing the very best.

From the summary:

“The offered research exhibits that pine and oak exhibit considerably higher hygienic efficiency than plastic and signifies an antibacterial impact attributable to a mix of the hygroscopic properties of wooden and the impact of wooden extractives.”

In addition they talk about earlier research, together with one by Koch et al in 2002 evaluating bacterial survival (Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens) on wooden, plastic and chrome steel, noting:

“A remarkably nice distinction within the survival of the micro organism on the floor of the samples was noticed between wood samples and plastic and metal. Oak confirmed the best lower fee in bacterial titre, adopted by beech and ash. Micro organism survived longest on plastic adopted by chrome steel.“

Different Causes to Select Wooden Slicing Boards Over Plastic, Glass or Ceramic Slicing Boards

Moreover, wooden reducing boards:

• Defend your knives and don’t uninteresting them like ceramic, glass, or bamboo reducing boards.
• Are fully biodegradable and renewable. 
• Might help small enterprise.  Take a look at your native farmers markets and craft gala’s for handmade merchandise.

Duncan demonstrates the way to oil reducing boards within the video under.

Not surprisingly, plastic reducing boards could also be a major supply of microplastics in meals. A 2023 research discovered that the boards shed “a considerable quantity” of plastic. Nobody must be consuming extra plastic. Even when it doesn’t find yourself in your meals, it’s washing down the drain into the water provide.

Primary Meals Security Applies No Matter Which Kind of Slicing Board You Use

Wash fingers regularly utilizing a non-toxic cleaning soap and sizzling water. Don’t use antibacterial merchandise like triclosan. They breed more durable superbugs.

Keep away from cross contamination.  Hold meat away from produce, cooked meals away from uncooked meals, and many others. Don’t grill and put the completed meat on the identical plate you used for the uncooked meat.

If you wish to use bleach to sanitize your reducing board, add one tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Soak your board for a couple of minutes, after which rinse nicely with clear water. I don’t do that for wood reducing boards, however if you happen to nonetheless have plastic boards, it could be useful.

A greater understanding of the interplay of wood reducing boards and micro organism makes it clear why wooden has been the fabric of alternative for therefore lengthy. Being extra resilient is all about combining the very best of previous and new.

Do you know in regards to the wooden/micro organism interplay? Go away a remark under to share your ideas.

Extra Meals Security Articles

Good meals is crucial to good well being – however our meals system is in bother. We’ll assist you to grasp the dangers and make higher decisions. Be taught extra at:

Bt Corn – What’s it, and Why Ought to You Care About It?

Botulism – Ideas for Protected House Canning

Defend Your self from Salmonella and E Coli Naturally

Laurie Neverman has her bachelor’s diploma in arithmetic and a grasp’s in mechanical engineering. She paid a part of her method via school working on the household catering enterprise, Irene’s Customized Desserts & Catering. Now she and her household develop and protect most of their meals on their Wisconsin homestead.

Initially posted in 2013, up to date in 2024.