It could be chemicals used in the mfgr of this, or if board exposed to heat........I personally would not waste the money on a fiskars board.........the Olfa's are so much better, and if you wait for the 40% or 50% off coupons, you can save even more.

I bought one of the yellow on one side, pink on the other cutting boards because it was on clearance for $5. It DID stink to high heaven for about a week, but it doesn't anymore. Just FYI.

i used to walk into department stores and their clothes stank. odd but true. the odor usually did wash out thank goodness.
i wonder if the mats are now made in China.......

I bought an Olfa mat, and oh my gosh, it smelled SOOOO bad. We had left it sitting in the living room, and then I started smelling this awful chemical/burning smell. We thought some wires in the walls were on fire or something -- we were actually on the phone with our electrician, talking to him about it, when I finally realized what was causing the nasty smell. Felt pretty stupid, that's for sure.

Speaking of smelly stuff, the Old Navy store in Fargo smells something awful! I wouldn't buy anything that came out of that store!

I've never had a problem with stinky mats tho.

Samething happened to me.......... stinky mat had to sit in basement for over a month.......... I even put a couple used dryer sheets with some baking soda on both side of it the baking soda did help...

I bought one a few years ago. Yes it did stink bad.I knew I couldn't use it, so I put it out in the sun, so you can guess what happened then, it warped and I threw it away. It smelled like old rubber tires.
Guess I figured I had kept it too long to return it.

I bought one a few years ago. Yes it did stink bad.I knew I couldn't use it, so I put it out in the sun, so you can guess what happened then, it warped and I threw it away. It smelled like old rubber tires.
Guess I figured I had kept it too long to return it.

the stink goes away after awhile. to speed that up, I rub it with white vinegar & it helps.
No problems after a week or two.

Now I am going to go smell the boards tomorrow at JoAnns. He he. :P