Is it safe to use an antimicrobial cutting board with triclosan?
Based on 2 peer-reviewed studieskitchen
Verdict: Avoid
No. Triclosan transfers to food and has been tied to allergies and hormone effects in kids.
What's actually in it
Some plastic cutting boards are sold with "antimicrobial" marketing, which usually means triclosan or silver compounds embedded in the plastic. Knife strokes release antimicrobial particles along with plastic particles.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Environ Health Perspect linked triclosan to allergies, asthma, and eczema in kids. A 2025 study tracked microplastics into bloodstream and brain.
Use a plain wood or bamboo cutting board without antimicrobial treatment. Wood is naturally antimicrobial.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Gestational and childhood triclosan concentrations and atopic symptoms. | Environ Health Perspect | 2025 |
| Microplastics in bloodstream induce cerebral thrombosis. | Sci Adv | 2025 |
What to use instead
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