John Boos Block maple wood cutting board: as expected, no metals detected at all! (+ available on Amazon, I bought this for myself!)

John Boos Maple Wood Cutting Board

When tested with a high precision XRF instrument (in “Consumer Goods” mode) no metals were detected in the item pictured. Multiple 120-second tests were done to confirm these results. I purchased this to use as a background for some of my photos and also to use as a background for some of the testing I do. Solid uncoated natural wood items do not normally test positive for any metals when tested with a high-precision XRF instrument in Consumer Goods mode — so they make an excellent background to use to prop small items up against for testing. In using a known background that is entirely metals-free (as I do with all of the testing I conduct), I can be assured that metals from background objects or surfaces do not “contaminate” the readings for the object that I am testing.

Functionally, this would probably also make an excellent cutting board, of course, but I haven’t yet used it for that intended purpose – and I don’t plan to! 😉 Here’s my Amazon affiliate link for this product (they have similar cutting boards in many sizes and shapes) and the product seems to be of excellent quality and has good reviews! https://amzn.to/3iisR03

Do cutting boards ever have Lead?

Cutting boards don’t NORMALLY have Lead or other toxic metals — if they are plain unfinished wood. I have, however, tested many different cutting boards that have been positive for unsafe levels of Lead!…

I have found Lead in the finish of vintage cutting boards, and in the decorative elements of both vintage and modern cutting boards (for example, integrated hanging hooks, or decorative inlays made of non-wood materials). It is always the best idea to get a simple (undecorated, unfinished) wood surface to use as a chopping block — plus [if sustainably-harvested, and well cared-for], a beautiful, high-quality long-lasting hardwood cutting block is a more environmentally-friendly choice than many of the other options out there, like plastic cutting surfaces. Of course if you live in a home where you prepare meat or other animal products, and you use a wooden cutting board for that specific function, you do have to clean it very well between uses [which is why many chefs prefer the plastic color-coded boards for fish, poultry and meat].

Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama

Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking on one of my links I may receive a small percentage of what you spend at no extra cost to you.