I turned two bowls and my wife wants to use them for salad bowls. Is polyurethane a safe finish to eat out of? If not what do you recommend. 

Yes, once it dries it is food safe. For all of my salad bowls, I use mineral oil. 

Edited November 6, 20187 yr by lew

Thanks Lew.

The saying is all finishes are safe once cured and the government does not ascribe to that . For personal use it is up to you. I would not film coat (poly, varnish, lacquer) due to the breakdown of the film due to moisture exposure. Shellac is government recognized as "food safe". Walnut oil and a Lew said mineral are good. Also you can melt paraffin or beeswax into mineral oil and makes a great finish.

6 hours ago, Gerald said:

 Also you can melt paraffin or beeswax into mineral oil and makes a great finish.

That's what I like to use for a functional bowl. 80/20 mineral oil/beeswax works really well. Just soft enough to apply and leaves a nice glow when buffed up.

 

Steve

8 hours ago, Gerald said:

Also you can melt paraffin or beeswax into mineral oil and makes a great finish.

 

1 hour ago, Steve Krumanaker said:

That's what I like to use for a functional bowl. 80/20 mineral oil/beeswax works really well. Just soft enough to apply and leaves a nice glow when buffed up.

 

Steve

I have used a mix similar to this for cutting boards.  

for cutting boards and bowls that might see food, i use a mix of mineral oil and beeswax.  Howard's Butcher Block conditioner works great.  available at Home Depot and Lowes.

I bought some beeswax. Going to try that by itself and see how that turns out.