Wood inhibits bacteria growth
	The laboratory at Teknologisk Institut in Tåstrup (the technological institute of Taastrup, Denmark) has presented a significant paper in the debate on bacteria in our food, and there is good news to wood lovers.   The laboratory have examined some of the most unpleasant and unhealthy bacteria, which are related to both salmonella, listeria and anthrax. They compared the bacteria’s possibility of survival on cutting boards made of solid wood, plastic and stainless steel, respectively.   The experiments start by applying 10m bacteria on each of the different cutting boards. The result shows that bacteria have much better conditions of survival on cutting boards of plastic and stainless steel.   After two hours 300.000-500.000 bacteria are alive on the plastic/stainless steel boards and even after 5 hours thousands of active bacterial spores are still present. Bacteria are killed on wood.
	The research at Teknologisk Institut has taken place in corporation with the laboratory of Fødevareinstituttet (the Danish Directory for Food) in Hillerød, and it is also part of a common Nordic research project, in which the corresponding public bodies in Sweden, Norway and Iceland have been active participants. Thus the joint Nordic expertise is behind the research.
	Confirms other research studies The above confirms previous research studies conducted in countries such as the USA (the Institute of Food at the Michigan State University) and Germany (The Government Biological Research Centre, Braunschweig). Their research showed how wood has some exceptionally good properties in almost exterminating bacteria. One of the reasons is thought to lie in the structure of the wood where bacteria easily penetrate into scratches and pores. Furthermore, it is quite possible that wood contains some natural matter that causes the bacteria to simply die after a short period of time on a wooden top.
	Natures own material Solid wood has been used for storing and preparing food for thousands of years. Latest research results now confirm that Nature’s own material is also the best suited to ensure good kitchen hygiene.