Are wooden cooking spoons truly safer than plastic?
Yes. Wood doesn't shed microplastics or leach additives when heated.
What's actually in it
Wooden spoons are solid wood, sometimes with a food-grade mineral oil finish. They don't contain plastic, PFAS, or plasticizers. A well-made spoon lasts years and can be sanded down if it cracks.
The only caveat: keep wood away from the dishwasher and don't soak it. Hot wet conditions cause cracking, and cracks harbor bacteria.
What the research says
A 2025 study in J Agric Food Chem documented nanoplastic release from plastic in hot water. A 2025 study showed plastic particles damage gut cells at realistic doses. Wood skips both.
Hand wash wooden spoons, dry them standing up, and oil once a month with food-grade mineral oil. Beech and olive wood are durable, dense, and don't absorb flavors easily.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Release of Nanoplastics from Polypropylene Food Containers. | J Agric Food Chem | 2025 |
| PTFE microplastics induce oxidative stress in human intestinal cells. | J Hazard Mater | 2025 |
What to use instead
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