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Wood is mostly used in kitchen ware, such as cutting boards and bowls, or as kitchen side boards or table surfaces. Further some containers of other material may use wooden lids. In order to prevent rapid degradation due contact with liquids or sharp objects, wood is often lacquered. Wooden lids may be equipped with rubber rings in order to seal containers.
To this point, there are no studies available in the public domain which assess the migratory potential of wooden food contact materials.
As all food contact materials in the EU, wood is regulated under the Regulation EC 1935/2004.
No specific measures have been enacted in order to address wood as a food contact material, yet a Report of the EFSA Scientific Cooperation (ESCO) Working Group on non-plastic Food Contact Materials includes an inventory list of substances used in non-plastic food contact materials, including wood. While this report may be used to inform other panels within EFSA, it does not aim to produce a Scientific Opinion, which could inform action by the European Commission.
Reference
EFSA (2011). Report of ESCO WG on non-plastic Food Contact Materials. Retrieved January 14, 2013 from http://www.efsa.europa.eu/fr/supporting/pub/139e.htm
