Which wood oils are actually food-safe? Which OLI-NATURA oils & waxes are LFGB-certified and may carry the “GLASS-FORK SYMBOL”?
In many areas, oiled wooden surfaces come into contact with food. This is contact that should of course remain completely safe. Once fully cured, the oiled surface must be safe for health, must not release any ingredients into food, and must not alter the smell or taste of the food that comes into contact with it. Any migration, meaning any transfer from the material into the food, must be ruled out.
Our OLI-NATURA oils & waxes are intended for treating surfaces made of wood or wood-like materials. They are designed to cure in the wood so that the oiled surface can come into contact with food without concern. They contain a high proportion of unsaturated vegetable oils and dry naturally with the help of atmospheric oxygen, resulting in a tough-elastic finish. The impregnation is permanent, meaning fixed and stable. In addition, the oils used are finely purified and no longer contain substances that could later provide a breeding ground for bacteria in the wood.
All our oils & waxes meet the requirements of the German Food and Feed Code (LFGB) for consumer articles with regard to saliva and perspiration resistance. This testing is based on standards DIN 53160-1 and -2. In addition, they meet the toy standard DIN EN 71-3 (safety of toys) and are suitable for food contact.
To substantiate this, we had five OLI NATURA oils & waxes tested and certified for “food safety” by an independent German testing laboratory, complete with official certification. This voluntary product certification is important to many joiners, cabinetmakers, parquet installers, and woodworkers, as more and more customers look for tested wood impregnation when choosing products. The LFGB seal meets this customer demand and also provides an important point of orientation. To make them recognizable at a glance, the latest labels now carry the glass-fork symbol. Suitability and approval for using the symbol are subject to strict and recurring testing.
What does food-safe mean? - The testing procedure
In strict testing procedures, wooden surfaces treated with our oils were analyzed in accordance with the Consumer Goods Ordinance (BedGgstV) and the German Food and Feed Code (LFGB). The experts checked whether the limit values were observed and whether there was any risk to consumers. The assessment also included authenticity and migration tests, sensory tests, and analytical test results. Our wood oils passed the test requirements with flying colors in every respect and remained well below all limit values. This means that, once fully cured, the material used is safe for health and can come into contact with food.
Which products may carry the glass-fork symbol?
The LFGB-certified oils include our OLI-NATURA HS hardwax oil, OLI-NATURA HS Professional Oil, OLI-NATURA Worktop-Oil, OLI-NATURA hardwax oil, and OLI-NATURA boiled linseed oil.
Each of the tested wood oils has its own strengths: The parquet oils »OLI-NATURA HS hardwax oil« and » OLI-NATURA HS Professional Oil« offer advantages on wooden floors such as solid wood floorboards, wide-plank flooring, or ship-deck flooring. The new »OLI-NATURA Worktop-Oil« is particularly suitable as a kitchen and worktop oil for solid and hardwood. Our universal »OLI-NATURA hardwax oill« gives furniture, kitchen fronts, panels, sides, dining tables, and chairs a natural look. And »OLI-NATURA boiled linseed oil« excels on wooden bowls, cheese boards, bread boards, or knife blocks. Small items made of natural wood or bamboo, such as bottle openers, little containers, closures, or wooden spoons, also receive a food-safe finish with our boiled linseed oil.
Which wood oil is right for me?
If you want to buy a wood oil, the selection may initially seem huge and overwhelming. We will help you make your decision and show you which OLI-NATURA oils & waxes are best suited to you or, rather, to your project. Our experts will quickly and easily recommend a suitable wood oil, answer your product questions, and provide application tips. We are happy to help with any questions, by phone at 037208/84-488 or by email at faq@oli-lacke.de.
