Sources, in order of preference
- Maker and seller documentation: product pages, care cards and listing text, quoted or closely paraphrased.
- Government and standards guidance on food-contact materials, lead and finishes, for example FDA and EPA pages.
- Collector, dealer and museum references for older pieces. Dealer descriptions are treated as examples of how pieces are described, not as proof of any one item's history.
- University extension and woodworking references for care and material background.
How we handle Amazon listings
We link only to real listings. Product titles, images, prices and availability on our product cards come directly from Amazon through its official Creators API for Associates, and each price shows the date it was retrieved. Prices and availability change often; the price shown on Amazon at the time of purchase is the one that applies. Products that Amazon reports as unavailable are hidden until they are back in stock. Where we found a conflict in a listing, such as a title naming one wood and the details naming another, we flag it so you can check. We do not publish star ratings or review counts.
Claims we do not make
- That we tested, measured or handled a product, unless a page says exactly what was done.
- That an older piece is a certain age, maker or value from photos.
- That a wood species or an unknown finish is universally "food safe."
- Invented statistics, expert quotes, certifications or ratings.
About the images
The featured image at the top of each guide is an illustration created for this site. It shows the kind of tray or platter the guide discusses, not a photograph of a specific antique, maker's mark or product for sale. For an exact item, rely on the seller's own photos and description.
Dates and updates
Each guide shows the date it was last checked. This site's content was last reviewed on November 14, 2026. Commercial guides are checked for availability monthly and reviewed editorially about every 90 days.