Food Safe Surfaces

Submitted by superchou on Sat, 02/16/2013 - 15:59

Hi! I am looking at building one of the kitchen islands on this site and since I am trying to keep costs down a $150 piece of butcher block is out of the budget. I would like to paint the top but have concerns about it being food safe. Using a nice finished plywood, how would i be able to finish it and not worry that I am contaminating food? I am thinking tile is the way to go but I would prefer to avoid that if there is a better way.

thanks!