In The Kitchen: Is Wood Really More Expensive Than Plastic?
Dr. Timothy Hollingshead | February 3, 2012|
Health and safety are two major concerns to be considered when making decisions about what products to invest in for food handling purposes. Over the years, there have been many arguments over which, between plastic and wood, is the better material for food handling products such as cutting boards. While most publications attempt to seem fair to both sides of this dispute, I will offer irrefutable facts that cleary demonstrate that wood cutting boards are better than plastic cutting surfaces. The first reason why wood cutting boards are far better is the simple fact that they are natural. Over the years there have been increasing worries about the the use of synthetic materials and their impact on our environment. The process of producing plastic cutting boards generates a greater long term harm than felling a tree to construct wooden cutting boards. Where the harvesting of trees is properly managed there is, in fact, no adverse influence on the environment. The production of plastic products, no matter how well managed, will always have an unfavorable effect on the environment. Moving into the kitchen, clinical tests have confirmed that wooden cutting boards absorb and kill bacteria that find their way into the food handling process. Wooden surfaces are porous and this allows bacteria to seep into the wood where they are trapped and eventually die. Plastic cutting boards on the other hand, are non porous and all bacteria will remain on the surface. This means that there are higher chances of encountering contamination from food handled on plastic surfaces as opposed to that which is handled on wood cutting surfaces. Wood cutting boards and butcher blocks are “self healing” and, therefore, maintain their beauty for a longer time than their plastic counterparts due to the fact that cuts made along the grain of an end grain wood chopping board seal themselves immediately after the blade makes them. However, every single cut on a plastic cutting board will result in permanent scarring. Also, you should keep in mind that the tiny pieces of plastic wearing off the board as a result of cuts will, most likely, end up in the food you serve to your family. The chemicals in the plastic board gradually become an unwanted addition to your diet causing possible serious health implications for children and seniors. Wood particles however, are natural and consuming them will, for the most part, not generate any negative health issues. The only benefit that plastic clearly has over wood is the cost factor. However, in the long term, the cost implications on your family’s health and the environment outweigh by far the difference in financial costs when comparing wood cutting boards with plastic products. Also, keep in mind that a high quality wood cutting board is not only safer to use, it is also much more durable and can outlast, by years, (even generations) a plastic board. Lastly, wood just has a natural beauty that can not be duplicated with plastic. Which would you rather show off in your home, a beautifully crafted, wood cutting board or, a scarred hunk of plastic?
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