Kitchen Worktops and Food Preparation: A Worktop Express® Nutshell Guide

The most common use for our timbers is in the kitchen as countertops, islands, and dining tables. All worktops are oiled a number of times in order to create a protective seal, preventing damage. Being used as a work surface means the timber can be exposed to food during meal preparation; as such, it’s important that you feel it’s safe to leave edible items on the surface. This factor was taken into real consideration when Worktop Express® launched in 2009. Extensive research into the health and safety of all worktop oils lead us to select the most suitable product with confidence – Rustins Danish Oil – for use on our kitchen worktops. Rustins Danish Oil This is our recommended oil for all standard, unfinished wooden worktops (when ordered as ‘blanks’). One of the most popular oils on the market today, Rustins Danish Oil conforms to the Toys (Safety) Regulations, which were issued in 1995. Furthermore, and most importantly, it’s a product that conforms to the Articles in Contact with Food Regulations. Articles in Contact with Food Regulations This is a document that, according to the Food Standards Agency, sets out ‘the law on chemical migration from all materials and articles in contact with food. It includes provisions for materials and articles expected to come into contact with foods or to transfer their constituents to food.’ Conforming to this means that the safety and usability of Rustins Danish Oil has been guaranteed by an expert, independent source – so you don’t just have to take our word for it! HABiol HABiol is used in our specialist machinery for all pre-oiled worktops. We have chosen this oil as it is almost identical to Rustins Danish Oil, but is suitable for use in an industrial capacity, and conforms to the Articles in Contact with Food Regulations. Once fully dried, HABiol is also LGA approved to § 31 LFGB, making it safe for use on wooden products used for food preparation. As discussed, both HABiol and Rustins Danish Oil are completely safe and can be used in every day kitchen life. More information regarding our worktop oils and their applications can be read in our Oiling Worktops information guide. Wood Worktops: Naturally Hygienic We’ve discussed the finishing agents, but one of the most important points to consider when opting for a kitchen worktop is the material itself. And the good news is that the fibres of timber contain antibacterial bodies; as such, it is widely agreed that worktops made from wood are naturally very hygienic. Certain products such as iroko wood worktops are innately rich in oil, enhancing their hygienic properties; and others, such as bamboo worktops are watertight, which is also important for cleanliness. And finally… So, there you have it: timber worktops are a valuable addition to your kitchen not just from an aesthetic but also a sanitation point of view. If you have any questions regarding the use of timber in your kitchen, and its impact on the food preparation process, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please note: this guide was updated on 27^th October 2014 to reflect recent changes to the products utilised in our pre-oiling process. For more information on the changes, please visit our Improvements to our Pre-Oiling Service for Wooden Worktops blog post.