There is an article in the most recent American Woodturner saying the conventional wisdom about food safe finishes has been wrong since an article in Fine Woodworking in 1979. The article says there is no proof that eating off of wood finishes that are totally cured (meaning you cannot smell the finish) is bad for people. Another interesting part of the article was it said salad-bowl finishes (recommended by people as safe) were thinned varnish and had driers to cure the finish. Once the stuff had dried they were safe but not before (or at least nobody has any evidence they are not).
Has anyone ever heard of actual evidence (not anecdotal) of health problems caused by eating from bowls with the finishes we aren't suppose to use since they are not food safe? ? People may be shortchanging their work by playing it safe. We are not talking about lead paint here but may be acting like it. .