FoodHidden kitchen germ hotspots: Surprising places you missed

Hidden kitchen germ hotspots: Surprising places you missed

Dirt in the kitchen - scientists have proven where there is the most of it
Dirt in the kitchen - scientists have proven where there is the most of it
Images source: © Canva | pixelshot

5 July 2024 16:32

Do you think invisible dirt in the kitchen is only associated with the dishwashing sponge and cloth? In that case, read this article. We have compiled a list of the dirtiest places in the kitchen based on various studies. You might not expect some of them!

Although we won’t get a fine from the health inspector for dirt in our kitchen, we might suffer the consequences in much more severe ways. Food poisoning is no joke; regular cleaning where we prepare food should be the world's most prominent “programmed” activity. The problem is that even those who are exceptionally thorough in this matter are not always able to predict where the most significant amount of potentially dangerous fungi and bacteria might be. Studies have been conducted that clearly show that sponges and clothes are just the beginning of the "fun".

Studies and dirt in the kitchen

In 2022, NSF International—an organisation that studies cleanliness and health issues at various levels of private and public life—conducted an experiment during which the homes of 22 American families were examined for dirt and harmful microorganisms. Thirty different items from their homes were tested, and it was found that sponges and dishcloths had the most bacteria from the E. coli group. What an irony!

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The second place — if you can call it that — in the same study was taken by the kitchen sink and the third — by the countertop. Just off the podium was the cutting board. Remember that the study included 30 everyday items from the whole house. Kitchen items occupied the top four places.

Dirt in the kitchen can be found in the sink, on sponges, countertops and cutting boards. But not only there.
Dirt in the kitchen can be found in the sink, on sponges, countertops and cutting boards. But not only there.© Canva | tttuna

Dirt in the kitchen — you wouldn’t expect this

Rosemary Trout, Director of Food Science at Drexel University, talked about kitchen dirt with a journalist from delish.com. She revealed that not only can we encounter numerous serious bacteria on countertops, sponges, cloths, and cutting boards — from E. coli to Staphylococcus aureus. The specialist also mentioned such, much less expected surfaces as handles and knobs, spice containers, and vegetable drawers in the fridge.

Admit it: we sometimes touch these surfaces without thoroughly washing our hands. And then we see the results!

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