First end-grain cutting board -- chip out in juice groove?

[NewWoodWorkerVA]

Not sure if these holes are chip out or what it is called; no major issues routing the juice groove; multiple shallow passes but have some of these divots/holes.  Been sanding a lot with 60 and 80 grit.  Will these holes go away as grit increases or should I smooth them out with 60 grit?

Or just keep them and put on the mineral oil and wax and have some "character"?  But I think smooth would be more hygienic. 

 

[luvmytoolz]

The router bits roughed the grain up there. Give it a few wipes with a damp cloth to raise the grain around it, letting it dry and then sand it all down till smooth. You might need to do this process a couple or a few times to get it to a satisfactory point.

 

[smorgasbord]

Been sanding a lot with 60 and 80 grit.  Will these holes go away as grit increases or should I smooth them out with 60 grit?

1) No, the holes won't go away as grit increases. You should stick with your lowest grit # (coarsest) until the tear-out is gone, and only then increase grit to smooth it out.
2) That is some nasty tear-out. I know you said you did multiple, shallow passes, but maybe your bit is dull or poor-quality.
3) I would consider getting a new bit and re-routing another pass just deep enough to take that tear-out out.
4) Or, the now discontinued LS-130 would make the sanding job faster/easier.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

That looks to me more like the "bruising" kind of tear out that comes from the bit just stirring around, with soft fibers. It is more mushed/torn rather than the splintering of edge tear-out.
It might be just the bit, but the wood itself may be contributing?
Core box bits don't cut really well at the very center of the action.
Are you doing this with a plunge router? If so, this may benefit from "ramping in" to the final depth of the pass. It kind of shaves its way in, rather than plunging and plowing. Even with a shallow depth of cut, it's a smoother transition.
Personally, I would go at least one more pass (possibly with a better bit?) since I don't see that sanding out. End grain is notoriously hard to sand, worse in the bottom of a groove like that, plus you're going to have to do that throughout the entire groove (or  you will have a deep spot)