Boiled linseed oil is a popular wood finish that has been used for centuries to waterproof and accentuate the natural beauty of wood. Because it is made from all-natural ingredients, some people may consider it safe to use in food applications, but this is not the case; boiled linseed oil is not considered food safe and should be avoided in any application where direct contact with food or consumables may occur.
Linseed oil can often mistakenly be assumed to be natural and therefore safe, but it is highly processed in order to obtain its unique properties. Boiled linseed oil contains drying agents such as metallic salts or lead which are known carcinogens, making boiled linseed oil unsafe for use around food products.
While it’s not recommended for direct contact with foods or even as a finish for kitchen items, boiled linseed oil can still find a variety of practical applications in your home when used with proper precautions. It’s ideal for use on unfinished furniture and many other interior wooden surfaces like doors, windowsills and moldings to seal out dust and stains without harsh chemicals. It can also be used on boats and decks as a rust inhibitor and waterproofing agent, again taking care to keep it away from any contact with food products.
What is Boiled Linseed Oil?
Boiled linseed oil is a drying oil, made from pressing and crushing linseed to extract the oils. It is also commonly referred to as raw linseed oil. Boiled linseed oil has been boiled with metallic dryers, such as manganese, cobalt or zinc, to accelerate the natural drying process. This process changes the color of the oil from yellow to dark brown.
When boiled linseed oil is used for finishing wood, it adds a protective layer to the surface and helps to keep it looking vibrant and attractive for many years. It is also used as an ingredient in paint and varnish and remains commonly used in industry due to its hard-wearing qualities.
Although boiled linseed oil has many uses outside of food preparation, there are some questions over its safety for use in food making processes or around foods likely to be consumed directly or indirectly. Therefore, it is important to understand whether boiled linseed Oil can be classed as food safe when considering its use around food items.
Properties of Boiled Linseed Oil
Boiled linseed oil is derived from flax seeds and is a popular wood finish for furniture, hardwood floors, and other wood surfaces. It is an odorless, non-toxic product that is available in liquid form. Boiled linseed oil is also known for its anti-corrosive properties, making it ideal for preserving wood. In this article, we will discuss the properties of boiled linseed oil and discuss whether or not it is food safe.
Toxicity
Linseed oil, which is also known as flaxseed oil, is a colorless to yellowish oil obtained from the dried ripe seeds of the flax plant. Boiled linseed oil is traditionally used as a preservative for wood and leather, due to its superior durability, long-lasting capacity and attractive finish. Boiled linseed oil is also becoming increasingly popular for use in food preparation and as an ingredient in certain foods. However, it does contain potentially toxic components that can be hazardous if not used correctly.
Boiled linseed oil contains small amounts of substances called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are hazardous when inhaled or ingested. If heated or burned, these PAHs concentrated in the boiled form can become more dangerous since they emit toxins that are carcinogenic and may cause respiratory illnesses when inhaled over a long period of time. The risk associated with these toxins can be minimized with effective ventilation when boiled linseed oil is applied and with careful handling of open containers to prevent accidental ingestion. It should also never be exposed to direct heat sources or hot surfaces such as kitchen stoves or ovens because this will increase its potential for causing health hazards such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and vomiting.
The presence of PAH’s in boiled linseed oils has led many experts to label it as unsafe for ingestion or use around food items; however the toxicity associated with it can be minimized by following safe handling practices outlined by manufacturers and avoiding contact with open flames or high heat surfaces while using it since this will increase emissions of dangerous fumes.
Flammability
Boiled linseed oil is derived from the Linum usitatissimum plant and is used for a variety of applications, including wood finishing and sealing. One of its benefits is its flammability, with a flashpoint of 250°F (121°C). This makes boiled linseed oil safe to use around low heat sources, such as gas stoves, candles or matches.
However it’s flash point can vary depending on the refining process used to produce the product – check with your supplier or read relevant product information available online before using boiled linseed oil around any heat source or in any situation where a flammable material could pose a risk.
In terms of safety when using boiled linseed oil in food preparations, there are no known toxic effects related to ingestion so it is generally considered food-safe. If you are concerned about potential health risks posed by boiled linseed oil due to heating it for prolonged periods of time at high temperatures then it’s best to avoid this method and use an alternative food safe product instead.
Allergens
It is important to note that boiled linseed oil is derived from the flaxseed and may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals who are sensitive to the flax family of plants including ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies. It is always recommended to be aware of potential allergens before performing any diy projects with this type of oil or any other similar material.
In addition to being a potential allergen, the volatile compounds found in the boiled linseed oil can become a respiratory hazard if inhaled during use or storage. These volatile compounds can irritate the eyes, skin, and nose so appropriate safety precautions should be taken when using these products. It is best practice to avoid primarily inhaling its fumes while using it or storing material including it. Additionally, protective equipment such as eye wear, gloves and masks should also be used as well as kept away from open flames and direct heat sources while working with these materials.
Is Boiled Linseed Oil Food Safe?
Boiled linseed oil is a form of linseed oil that has been heated to evaporate the volatile solvents, making it a more durable finish and a safer option for food use. It is a popular food-safe finishing material that can be used on kitchenware, utensils, and even wooden cutting boards. In this article, we will examine if boiled linseed oil is food safe and how to use it properly.
Food Contact Regulations
The use of boiled linseed oil on food contact surfaces is regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Specifically, the FDA regulates the use of any item that may come into contact with food. Boiled linseed oil falls into this category because it can be used to seal wood surfaces that will come into contact with food.
In general, boiled linseed oil is considered safe for contact with food when used in accordance with FDA regulations. However, when used to seal wooden surfaces that will come in contact or may be exposed to food, it must meet certain requirements set forth by the FDA. Boiled linseed oil must not contain more than 0.25% free fatty acids and total organic compounds should not exceed 10%. Furthermore, it must meet all standards for no-volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission as set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Finally, any contamination from other materials such as metal particles must be prevented as much as possible during its manufacture or preparation.
Potential Health Risks
Though boiled linseed oil is traditionally used as a wood finish, it can be applied to kitchen utensils, countertops and other items where food has contact. While this practice is common and traditional, it has raised some questions about the safety of boiled linseed oil when in contact with food.
Boiled linseed oil contains trace amounts of lead compounds and metals which can leach out into food, particularly acidic foods like pickles, jams and other preserves. Boiled linseed oil also contains drying agents like cobalt or manganese which can potentially oxidize to form carcinogenic nitrosamines when heated in the presence of organic materials such as cooked meats. As a result of these health concerns, some regulatory agencies have issued advisories about boiling linseed oil before use in food-contact applications.
The health risks associated with boiled linseed oil are still relatively unknown and there have been few controlled studies done on the potential risks posed by consumed small amounts of the oil over extended periods of time. For this reason, it’s recommended to avoid using boiled linseed oil for any direct or indirect applications related to consumption of foods or beverages unless you’re able reliably quantify the trace levels of heavy metals and drying agents present in what you’re using. To play it safe, opt for plant oils that are pre-processed for human consumption such as vegetable or seed oils that are specifically made safe for food contact.
Potential Uses in Food Preparation
Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil, is obtained from pressing the seeds of the flax plant. Boiled linseed oil is not recommended for use in food preparation because it has been treated with drying agents, including mineral spirits and metallic driers. The process used to make the boiled linseed oil can produce toxic chemical compounds that are unsafe for food consumption. Therefore, it is generally not considered safe for use in dishes or as a food additive.
However, some recipes that include flaxseeds may call for boiling whole flaxseeds in water and using this linseed solution as part of the dish or recipe. In this case, boiling whole flaxseeds would be considered a safe food preparation technique and could provide health benefits associated with consuming dietary fiber and other ingredients found within the seeds themselves.
The National Institutes of Health has identified potential health benefits associated with consuming foods rich in essential fatty acids like linolenic acid which can be found flaxseeds and linseed oil. However, they should always be consumed in their unrefined form if possible to ensure minimal exposure to any potentially harmful substances introduced through chemical treatments such as those used to make boiled linseed oil.
