Is Linseed Oil Food Safe?
Written by Irina Webb
Linseed oil has been used for centuries under a variety of different names and in many applications. Still to this day, linseed oil is a highly traded good and is used on everyday residential products you have in your home.
Interestingly, linseed oil has a unique fatty acid profile rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) that gives the oil unique drying properties. As a result, it is used in wood preservation and paint applications. Yet, despite its long history, not everyone is familiar with linseed oil and its safety when it comes to food preparation surfaces, such as wooden cutting boards.
Many people are shifting away from the use of plastic kitchen utensils and boards in effort to avoid potential endocrine disruptors and microplastics. Alternatively, wooden products require a light level of maintenance to ensure they last for years and do not crack. Linseed oil is often an ingredient recommended in maintenance oils for wood, but there are differing types of linseed oil to choose from.
This article will explore the important question: is linseed oil food safe? By the end of this post, you’ll have a clearer understanding of where linseed oil comes from, how it’s used, and whether it’s a good choice for your kitchen.
Is Linseed Oil Food Safe?
Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to consider where linseed oil comes from and how it’s processed. This context is key to understanding whether it’s suitable for use on food preparation items like cutting boards. In this article, you’ll learn about the different types of linseed oil—such as raw linseed oil and boiled linseed oil—and the safety considerations for each.
Whether you’re looking to maintain your cutting board and cooking utensils or find a natural way to preserve wooden objects without fumes, this guide will help you make an informed choice.
Where Does Linseed Oil Come From?
To begin, linseed oil is derived from the seeds of the flax plant (Linum Usitatissimum), a versatile crop known for its nutritional and industrial uses (source). The oil is extracted through a pressing process which yields raw linseed oil.
Over the years, linseed oil has been referred to as flaxseed oil, flax oil, and/or Danish oil. With that said, despite popular belief, the name flaxseed oil does not automatically denote that it is food safe.
Today, crude or raw linseed oil is produced in various countries such as Russia, Canada, and many European Union nations (source). In turn, countries that focus on product manufacturing are major importers of linseed oil.
With various names, types, and sources of linseed oil, it’s important to understand what it is used for.
What Is Linseed Oil Used For?
To begin, linseed oil has a wide range of applications, including but not limited to:
- wood finishing and preservation
- oil based paints, and
- nutritional supplements.
Wood Finishing And Preservation
First, linseed oil’s raw form is often used in woodworking and as a natural preservative for wood surfaces. However, to improve drying time and durability, linseed oil is often further treated with additional chemicals. We will discuss this in a moment.
Furthermore, the term Danish oil was coined in the late 20th century when Scandinavian furniture, protected with linseed oil, began to increase in popularity around the world. However, it should be noted that Danish oil may include a blend of additional wood oils (source).
Given the wide range of uses for linseed oil, it is no surprise that it is a major import for manufacturing-focused countries. For example, in 2021, China imported over 94 million pounds of crude linseed oil (source).
Oil Based Paint
Next, linseed oil is a key ingredient in oil-based art paints. Depending on the form of linseed oil used, it can impact the drying time, level of gloss in the finish and pigment presentation (source). It also plays similar roles as a component in industrial varnishes and sealants. For example, linseed oil may be added to traditional wood and floor sealing varnishes, enamels, and house paints to improve viscosity, shine and durability (source).
Nutritional Supplement
Last, despite its nutritional benefits, you won’t find linseed or flaxseed oil in most grocery stores. Interestingly, raw linseed oil is safe for human consumption and has several health benefits, such as being rich in omega 3 (source). So why is it not as popular as olive oil?
In my opinion, there are two main reasons. First, many people do not enjoy its taste. Some people refer to it as “nutty,” while others find it bitter. As it ages, the oil becomes darker and thicker and acquires a stronger taste and smell (source).
Second, linseed oil oxidizes quickly, meaning it goes rancid faster than other oils. As with other forms of oil, rancidity can alter the taste and nutritional attributes of the oil. Furthermore, lipid oxidation produces potentially harmful compounds. In some cases, this makes it unsuitable for human consumption (source).
With that said, if you wish to use linseed oil as a supplement in your diet, there are many well-documented benefits. For instance, linseed oil has been shown to be anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiulcer, anti-osteoporotic, cardioprotective, metabolic, and neuroprotective (source). However, stop using it when it becomes rancid.
Is Linseed Oil A Food Safe Finish?
When it comes to food safety, not all linseed oils are created equal. Raw linseed oil is generally considered food safe as it should not contain any additives. This makes it ideal for use on cutting boards. However, linseed oil has a very slow drying time, which may make it less practical for certain applications.
On the other hand, traditional boiled linseed oil is typically not food safe. When in doubt, you can assume it is treated with chemical driers to speed up the curing process, making it unsuitable for use on cutting boards or other surfaces that come into direct contact with food (source).
Nevertheless, for the production and maintenance of cutting boards, companies have found apparently non-toxic solutions. Although rare, some companies can source all-natural boiled linseed oil that is free of metal or chemical-based driers. As a result, the linseed oil cures quickly, without the introduction of harmful chemicals.
What Are The Benefits Of Food Safe Linseed Oil?
Some benefits of food safe linseed oil include:
- natural preservation
- enhancement of appearance
- eco-friendliness.
Natural Wood Preservation
One of the reasons linseed oil is so favored in wood preservation is its ability to protect wood from moisture and reduce the risk of cracking or warping. A good quality cold-pressed raw linseed oil has a very mild smell. Furthermore, when applied and dried properly, it is ideal for cutting boards as it does not impart flavor to foods (source).
Next, linseed oil works as a compliment with natural waxes such as carnauba or beeswax when treating wood surfaces. More specifically, linseed oil can penetrate deeply into the wood, and the waxes provide an additional line of water resistance and conditioning. Continue reading, as I share my favorite linseed oil and carnauba wax balm shortly.
Enhancement Of Appearance
Applying linseed oil can bring out the natural beauty of the wood grain, giving your cutting board or furniture a rich, warm finish. However, note that this oil can slightly darken the color of the wood over time. Yet, in my experience, linseed oil has not detracted from the beauty of my solid maple and oak cutting boards.
Eco-Friendliness
As a plant-based oil, raw linseed oil is an environmentally friendly choice compared to mineral oil. Organic linseed oil is available, meaning that it is cold-pressed and the flax was grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
I believe we should avoid alternative synthetic oils, such as mineral oil. In actuality, mineral oil is petroleum-based and may be contaminated with by-products of petroleum. Thus, the EU bans mineral oil unless a manufacturer provides a full refinery history. Furthermore, petroleum-based substances are not environmentally conscious. You can learn more about mineral oil in my blog post on best solid wood cutting boards.
How To Use Linseed Oil
First off, regular maintenance of your wooden cutting board and utensils is crucial for their longevity and water resistance. The good news is maintaining wood with linseed oil is quite simple. After you do it once, you will realize how quick and easy the process is. Importantly, reapply the oil when the wood surface begins to absorb water or appears dry and dull.
The steps to using the oil include:
- choosing the right type of oil
- cleaning the surface
- applying a thin layer
- wiping off excess oil, and
- allowing proper drying time.
Choose The Right Type Of Linseed Oil
As always, for food-related applications, opt for raw linseed oil or a product labeled as food safe. Avoid most boiled linseed oil, as it may contain harmful additives.
Treeboard is my top recommendation for linseed oil. This unique and transparent company offers raw linseed oil, all-natural boiled linseed oil (food safe, faster drying time), and organic board balm made with linseed oil and carnauba wax. I use their board balm in my kitchen.
Clean The Surface
Before applying the oil, ensure the wood surface is clean and dry. This step prevents trapping dirt or bacteria under the oil.
Apply A Thin Layer
Using a clean cloth, apply a thin layer of linseed oil to the wood surface. Allow the oil to soak in for several hours or overnight.
Wipe Off Excess Oil
After the oil has soaked in, wipe off any excess with a clean cloth to prevent a sticky or uneven finish.
Allow Proper Drying Time
Raw linseed oil can take days to fully cure. Be patient and ensure the surface is dry before using it for food preparation so you do not impart any flavor onto your food.
Conclusion: Is Linseed Oil Food Safe?
You Can Safely Consume Organic Raw, Cold-Pressed Linseed Oil And Use It On Food Contact Surfaces. Avoid Boiled Or Treated Linseed Oil As Most Are Not Food Safe.
In conclusion, linseed oil is a versatile and eco-friendly option for many different uses, particularly in wood preservation. It is an effective drying oil that improves the wood surface’s water resistance and ability to handle humidity changes.
However, its suitability for food-related applications depends on the type of linseed oil used. For kitchen applications, a good rule of thumb is to stick to using a raw linseed oil. While select companies, such as Treeboard, offer food safe boiled linseed oil, this is a rare exception. It is crucial that conventional boiled linseed oil be avoided as it contains metals and chemical driers that are not food safe.
By following the tips in this article, you can ensure your cutting boards and other wood surfaces are both beautiful and food safe. For more information on selecting and maintaining your cutting board, check out my guide to the best solid wood cutting boards and learn what makes safe cutting boards.
Feel free to browse the I Read Labels For You blog for the latest reviews and visit my IRLFY shop and Amazon shop for multiple options of non-toxic household and body products. Remember to download my unprecedented e-books and schedule a consultation with me if you need help choosing a safe product.
Download The Free Guide!
5 Powerful Steps To A Non-Toxic Home
Join our informed consumer community and get our free guide the “5 Powerful Steps To A Non-Toxic Home”.
Before commenting, please read our Comment Policy.