Can you eat off of something sealed with polyurethane?

You can eat off of something sealed with polyurethane if it is fully cured and the contact is indirect and brief, but you should not cut directly on it or use it for direct food preparation. According to FDA regulation 21 CFR 175.300, fully cured polyurethane is considered compliant for indirect food contact, meaning a dining table, serving tray, or salad bowl coated with fully cured polyurethane is safe if food briefly touches the surface and is then eaten. Oil-based polyurethane needs about 30 days to fully cure, water-based needs 7 to 21 days. However, you should not use polyurethane on cutting boards, butcher blocks, or wooden plates where knives will cut through the film, as tiny chips of plastic film could break off and be ingested, and the scratched surface can harbor bacteria. For those items, use food-grade mineral oil and beeswax instead. For countertops where food is prepared, many woodworkers prefer food-safe hardwax oils like Rubio Monocoat or pure tung oil that are certified food safe. If you do eat off polyurethane, ensure it is from a reputable brand like Minwax or General Finishes that is fully cured, not still tacky or smelly, and avoid serving very hot, acidic, or alcoholic foods that could soften the finish.