Reply by Dallas

Dwight,

Making such a blanket statement as ”ALL finishes are food safe after curing” could lead one, especially newbies, to believe that they can put any finish they want on any surface that is used for food.

I’ve seen cutesie cutting boards in peoples kitchens made from pine or fir or hemlock that had a clear coat of varnish and under that was painted a flower or something bright.

Lead was only banned in the US in the 1970’s. It was not banned worldwide.
Lately it has been found that many foreign companies that supply finish to the US have trace amounts or more of lead because the machinery isn’t cleaned between runs.

Would you consider using a non-food safe finish on a baby crib? Lot’s of people paint them with whatever the kid can gnaw on.
The CPSC has stopped imports of a lot of baby furnishings because the country of origin used lead conraining clear finish.

Even your buddy Flexner admits that lead containing varnish was available in the US until the 1970’s.

-- Improvise.... Adapt...... Overcome!