Food Sealer

Wood-working? What type of sealer/varnish could I use for wooden vessels/utensils that would be food-safe?

I want to make a wooden goblet but I want it to be usable so it needs to be sealed with a food-safe sealer/varnish/shellac. (I don't know the proper word to use as I am new to wood working) Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Public Comments

1. There are a number of them available, including shellac... but a popular choice is a food grade oil like walnut oil. http://www.rockler.com/articles/display_article.cfm?story_id=7
2. I'm not sure that many of them are *truly* food safe (especially if the contact with a *wet* food or drink involves heat, acidic foods/drinks, long contact, etc.). In general, polyurethanes will "seal" bare wood (just like an acrylic paint would) but they're still not usually used directly for food or contact with mucous membranes. Some of the waxes for wood may be safer than the "sealers" when in direct contact with food and the body --especially in the ways described above-- but I don't know about that. You might want to ask in some of the woodworkers' forums where wood bowls, etc. are turned on lathes, etc. It's certainly not common to use wood directly for drinking vessels or wet foods. P.S. I just checked the link given by the answerer before me and there are a *few* oils listed which say specifically that they're safe for food contact, and even one that says safe even for acidic foods, etc. There may be other negative things about those oils, but at least they seem to be "safe for food" (e.g., perhaps they transfer their flavors?, or need to be continually reapplied for real waterproofness and smoothness?, or aren't that good for standing liquids?, won't give a glossy finish?, etc). I'd still probably ask specfically about using those kinds of finishes *for drinks* in a relevant forum. HTH, Diane B.
3. you can buy water base poly urethane and other water base products at arts crafts centers or even wal mart whick are non toxic THE hobby craft stores are the best place to buy what you are looking for and if they don't got what you are looking 4 in their store im sure they would send you to the right place to get any arts an crafts supply you might need .Just tell them what you want and they probaly will look or find it for you