# Are Cutting Boards Safe? The Best Cutting Board Material, Explained - Made In Made In’s Wood Fiber Cutting Boards are built from Richlite, the NSF-certified, microplastic-free material trusted in professional kitchens. 16 food safety certifications. Made in the USA. ```json { "_key": "d2bb7ea2788e", "_type": "tableOfContents" } ``` Professional chefs don’t guess about food safety. Every surface in a commercial kitchen has to meet strict standards, and cutting boards are no exception. That’s exactly why the material in Made In’s Wood Fiber Cutting Boards has been trusted in professional kitchens for decades. Our boards are built from Richlite, a paper composite made from FSC-certified wood fibers and food-safe resin, permanently fused under extreme heat and pressure. The result is a solid, non-separable material where cellulose fibers and resin are bonded into a single surface that won’t crack, warp, split, or shed particles. It’s the same material you’ll find on prep stations in Michelin-starred restaurants. And it meets every food safety certification that matters. ## The Microplastics Problem With Plastic Cutting Boards Research shows that conventional plastic cutting boards release over 1,100 microplastic particles per use. Over time, that adds up to roughly 50 grams of plastic ingested per person per year. Made In’s Wood Fiber Cutting Boards produce zero detectable microplastics. Unlike plastic alternatives, Richlite does not melt, soften, or shed particles, even under heavy daily use. Independent testing confirms the material is completely free from detectable microplastic release. If you’re choosing the best cutting board material for your kitchen, this distinction matters. ## NSF Certified and FDA Compliant Our cutting board material carries NSF Certification for food contact, meeting the strictest hygiene and safety standards in the industry. It also meets full FDA Food Contact Compliance under 21 CFR. But the certifications don’t stop there. ## 16 Food Safety Certifications Every Made In Wood Fiber Cutting Board meets the following standards: 1. **NSF Certification** for food contact, meeting strict hygiene and safety requirements 2. **FDA Food Contact Compliance** (21 CFR), the federal standard for materials that touch your food 3. **EU 10/2011 (EU 1935/2004)** compliance, meeting European food contact material regulations 4. **REACH Compliant**, verified free of substances of very high concern under EU chemical safety law 5. **GREENGUARD Gold Certification** for low chemical emissions, the standard used in hospitals and schools 6. **RoHS Compliant**, restricted hazardous substances including lead, mercury, and cadmium 7. **Health Product Declaration**, full transparency on material ingredients and health impacts 8. **Declare Certification**, a nutrition-label-for-products listing every ingredient 9. **Kosher Certification** for food contact surfaces 10. **No intentionally added PFAS**, verified free of “forever chemicals” 11. **CARB Phase 2 Compliant**, meeting California’s strict formaldehyde emission standards 12. **EU 2019/1021 Compliance** for persistent organic pollutants 13. **California Proposition 65 Statement**, meeting California’s safe harbor levels 14. **BPA-free**, no intentionally added bisphenol A 15. **Antimicrobial surface**, non-porous material resists bacteria, odors, and moisture 16. **Zero microplastics**, independently tested and verified ## Why Made In Has the Best Cutting Board Material ```json { "_key": "96efcb31cf56", "_type": "medium", "ctas": null, "description": null, "image": { "asset": { "altText": null, "metadata": { "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.7777777777777777, "height": 1080, "width": 1920 }, "lqip": "data:image/png;base64,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" }, "url": "https://cdn.sanity.io/images/fr9flhkd/main/8e32b6630534bbb3267764993e6bbd34a116959e-1920x1080.png" } }, "tags": null, "type": "image", "video": null } ``` Wood boards look beautiful but demand constant maintenance. Oiling, conditioning, drying upright, never putting them in the dishwasher. Plastic boards are low-maintenance but degrade over time, releasing microplastics into your food with every cut. Richlite eliminates that tradeoff entirely. **The performance of wood, without the maintenance:** - Non-porous surface resists bacteria, odors, and moisture - Knife-safe without dulling blades - Won’t crack, split, or warp over years of use - No oiling, conditioning, or special care required - Dishwasher safe **The convenience of plastic, without the health concerns:** - Zero microplastic release - No PFAS, no BPA - NSF certified for commercial food contact - Passes every major global food safety standard This is why professional kitchens chose this material long before it was available for home cooks. ```json { "_key": "9f0f70fa7819", "_type": "variant", "data": { "_id": "variant.45364693729359", "badges": [], "collegiateAsset": null, "computed": { "discount": 0, "isAvailable": true, "isPrimary": true, "offset": 0, "price": 129, "status": "forSale" }, "handle": { "current": "3-piece-set" }, "imageBadges": null, "media": [], "meta": { "hasCollegiate": false, "hasTrial": false, "hasWaitList": false, "isCollegiate": false, "isFinalSale": false, "isHidden": false, "isOnSale": false, "isSet": false, "promoDates": null, "promoPrice": null, "warranty": "lifetime" }, "product": { "ranking": 66, "rating": null, "shopify": { "handle": "cutting-board-set", "id": 8712148156495, "image": { "alt": null, "height": 1500, "src": "https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2131/5111/files/2026_Q2_Accessories_Wood_Fiber_Cutting_Board_3p__Set-Stylized-2.jpg?v=1781795932", "width": 1500 }, "title": "Composite Paper Cutting Boards" } }, "shopify": { "handle": null, "id": 45364693729359, "image": { "alt": null, "height": 1500, "src": "https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2131/5111/files/2026_Q2_Accessories_Wood_Fiber_Cutting_Board_3p__Set-TopDown-Hero.jpg?v=1780077125", "width": 1500 }, "option1": "3-Piece Set", "option2": null, "option3": null, "title": "3-Piece Set" }, "taxonomies": [ { "handle": { "current": "accessories" }, "title": "Accessories", "type": "product_category" }, { "handle": { "current": "knives" }, "title": "Knives", "type": "product_category" }, { "handle": { "current": "united-states" }, "title": "United States", "type": "country_of_origin" } ], "title": null } } ``` ## Made in the USA From Sustainable Materials Every Made In Wood Fiber Cutting Board is 100% made in the USA from FSC-certified and recycled paper materials. The manufacturing process uses sustainably sourced wood fibers, and the finished product carries GREENGUARD Gold certification for low emissions. ## The Made In Cutting Board Set ```json { "_key": "6c9eb34c25b0", "_type": "medium", "ctas": null, "description": null, "image": { "asset": { "altText": null, "metadata": { "dimensions": { "_type": "sanity.imageDimensions", "aspectRatio": 1.7777777777777777, "height": 1080, "width": 1920 }, "lqip": "data:image/png;base64,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" }, "url": "https://cdn.sanity.io/images/fr9flhkd/main/ec4a8d1828c0c3462a8b52c186527526d1baf35d-1920x1080.png" } }, "tags": null, "type": "image", "video": null } ``` Our [3-Piece Wood Fiber Cutting Board Set](https://madeincookware.com/products/cutting-board-set/3-piece-set) gives you the right board for every task: - **Small (10” x 7”)** for prep work, garnishes, and quick cuts - **Medium (14” x 11”)** with juice groove for proteins and everyday cooking - **Large (17” x 11”)** with juice groove for roasts, watermelon, and big batch prep All three boards are dual-sided so you can separate proteins and produce. At just 0.24” thick, they store easily and handle like a professional prep surface. ## The Bottom Line When chefs choose a cutting board for their professional kitchen, they’re not picking based on aesthetics or price. They’re choosing the material that meets the highest food safety standards while standing up to hundreds of cuts a day. That material is Richlite. And Made In is the only cookware brand bringing it from professional kitchens to yours. ```json { "_key": "29631bcc3212", "_type": "cta", "title": "Shop Made In Cutting Board", "url": "/products/cutting-board-set/3-piece-set" } ``` --- URL: https://madeincookware.com/blogs/best-cutting-board-material-food-safety