I mean, besides the price. On Amazon I see laxative mineral oil for about $10 for 16 oz while food grade (usually for use on wood that will be used for food) is twice the price at, generally, $8 for 8 oz. Also, as a quick look-see, I searched Amazon’s Industrial and Scientific sub-category for mineral oil and got one priced at $14 for 32 oz.
I’m really interested in the difference between the laxative and the food grade. Wouldn’t laxative oil have to be food grade by default? For full disclosure’s sake, I was looking for mineral oil to stock in my craft room, for crafty stuff. Mostly non-put-in-your-mouth stuff but, who knows. I may make a cutting board or spoon one day.
I think the laxative might be pharmaceutical grade, which if I remember correctly is more pure than food grade - food grade can have scent added ( baby oil) or other additives ( anti- corrosion, etc ) when used to lubricate food machinery . I assume the additional cost for food grade is due to the additives.
I’ve always used heavy mineral oil from the drugstore. Once it’s soaked in and then been rubbed and let dry, the laxative properties are gone. But any oil that doesn’t go rancid will work, it’s just a cutting board. It’s a good use for the fancy gift bottles of nut oils and such that live in tiny bottles in your cupboard.
Mineral oil isn’t really a laxative anyway; it’s just a lubricant. It should not be used regularly because it can interfere with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and can leak out the other end.
It’s perfectly OK to use on cutting boards and other metal serving utensils.
The differences between the oils (which doesn’t seem like there’s that much of a difference) don’t seem to explain the price differences. You’d think the pharmaceutical grade would be much more expensive.
