Cutting Board Glues - Are they safe?

I'm struggling to figure out if I'm just being a worry wart or not.

I am getting my hands on some new cutting boards to get rid of gick in my kitchen but I'm at a standstill. I really want wooden cutting boards but I'm not so sure on what kind I should get.

What is in the glue that folks use to put together end grain cutting boards? What is it made of? I see things like Titebond is rated for indirect food safety but I don't really get what that means. Is there anything to worry about?

At the moment, I think I am going to purchase/make cutting boards from one solid piece of wood. That removes any worry of glue whatsoever.

Thank you for your thoughts.

I've come to the same conclusion. I'm also not convinced that I care about end-grain. Even if it lasts longer, I can just cut another board. Even if it's a little gentler on the knives, I can sharpen them.

I'd rather save my consumption of glues for times I really need it and can't figure out a work-around.

Hi Timothy,

Of course the issue is what glue is used?   The traditional woodworkers glue is white glue such as Elmers.   But even if we decide that white glue  is fine…that doesn’t mean it was the glue that was used.

I got an early lesson in factory practices ack in the 7Os  when I saw an employee vomit all over rubber spatulas like the kind used for frosting.  The employee ran to the bathroom.   Her supervisor wiped down the work station and soiled spatulas with some paper towels and continued to package them until the employee returned.