# Is there a difference between food grade mineral oil and laxative mineral oil? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 12, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-food-grade-mineral-oil-and-laxative-mineral-oil/835439 "2019-06-12T20:09:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2019, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-food-grade-mineral-oil-and-laxative-mineral-oil/835439/1 "2019-06-12T20:09:00Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2019, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-food-grade-mineral-oil-and-laxative-mineral-oil/835439/2 "2019-06-12T20:52:22Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2019, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-food-grade-mineral-oil-and-laxative-mineral-oil/835439/3 "2019-06-12T21:20:21Z")
This isn’t what was asked, but you can get food grade mineral oil on Amazon for less than 1/5 of the price quoted in the OP. Here’s 128 oz for $22. > **[Amazon.com: NSF Certified Food Grade Mineral Oil – Gallon (128oz), Certified...](https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Mineral-Butcher-Certified-Material/dp/B0BWFJLXSP)** > > Buy NSF Certified Food Grade Mineral Oil – Gallon (128oz), Certified Food Safe Conditioner for Wood Cutting Boards, Butcher Blocks and Stainless-Steel Kitchen Equipment: Wood Polish - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases ---
**Author:** ![40below](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/51bf81/32.png) [@40below](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/40below)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2019, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-food-grade-mineral-oil-and-laxative-mineral-oil/835439/4 "2019-06-12T23:02:35Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2019, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-food-grade-mineral-oil-and-laxative-mineral-oil/835439/5 "2019-06-12T23:21:16Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2019, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-food-grade-mineral-oil-and-laxative-mineral-oil/835439/6 "2019-06-12T23:47:16Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Mineral oil isn’t really a laxative anyway; it’s just a lubricant. [A company which makes laxatives disagrees with you](https://www.phillipsdigestive.com/digestive-health/types-of-laxatives/): > [@](#): > > Lubricant laxatives, such as mineral oil, coat the surface of a stool which helps the stool retain fluid and pass with less difficulty. Doctors may recommend lubricants for people with blockages in the anus or rectum. However, they can sometimes inhibit the absorption of vitamins and nutrients. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2019, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-food-grade-mineral-oil-and-laxative-mineral-oil/835439/7 "2019-06-13T01:19:42Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > This isn’t what was asked, but you can get food grade mineral oil on Amazon for less than 1/5 of the price quoted in the OP. Here’s 128 oz for $22. > [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LB7MC4M](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LB7MC4M) That’s a lot of mineral oil! 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. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2019, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-food-grade-mineral-oil-and-laxative-mineral-oil/835439/8 "2019-06-13T01:53:10Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > That’s a lot of mineral oil! Yeah, I got a jug of that stuff a couple years ago. I expect it’s going to last me the rest of my life. ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2019, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-food-grade-mineral-oil-and-laxative-mineral-oil/835439/9 "2019-06-13T13:04:46Z")
Laxative mineral oil is Pharmaceutical grade (USP) > [@](#): > > Food-grade mineral oil lubricants for food machinery contain corrosion inhibitors, foam suppressants and anti-wear agents, even though they are authorized for contact with food. Pharmaceutical-grade mineral oil has to be free of all impurities under USP standards. From : [Differences Between Food Grade & Pharmaceutical Grade Mineral Oil | Bizfluent](https://bizfluent.com/info-12044319-differences-between-food-grade-pharmaceutical-grade-mineral-oil.html) ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2019, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-food-grade-mineral-oil-and-laxative-mineral-oil/835439/10 "2019-06-13T13:24:53Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Wouldn’t laxative oil have to be food grade by default? Only if you’re _drinking_ it… 😉