This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
As we go about our daily lives, it's easy to develop habits in the kitchen without thinking about the health implications. However, some of these habits can put you and your family at risk of getting sick. According to health experts, using the same chopping board for everything is a common mistake that can lead to cross-contamination of bacteria.
It's recommended to have a different chopping board for meats, vegetables, and fruits. This is because even after washing properly, chopping boards can harbor bacteria. Using the same chopping board for meat and vegetables and fruits will transfer this bacteria from one to the other, putting you at risk of getting sick.
Another unhealthy habit is storing meat above vegetables in the refrigerator. Meat juices can leak onto vegetables, contaminating them. To prevent this, store meats on the lower shelves of the fridge with the vegetables above. Ensure the meat is in leak-proof containers and keep it covered to further prevent cross-contamination.
Thawing meats on the kitchen counter is also a common practice that's a mistake. In the same way that you're encouraged to avoid cleaning meat in the sink to prevent contamination, thawing it on your kitchen counter does the same thing. The fluids from the meat contain harmful bacteria that can contaminate your kitchen counter and any food you place on it if you don't disinfect it well.
Raw batter can also cause food poisoning. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that eating raw batter can cause food poisoning. The best way to get rid of bacteria that causes food poisoning is by cooking it. Thus, avoid eating raw batter or dough.
Using a thermometer to check the internal temperature of steaks is also crucial. It's common for people to eyeball their meat when determining if it's cooked. To avoid meat that's underdone, since raw meat can have disease-causing bacteria, use a thermometer to check whether the centre of your steak is cooked.
Dirty dishcloths and sponges can also transfer bacteria to your clean dishes, which can then make you sick. Ensure you have a rotter for when you wash your dish cloths. It could be every day depending on how frequently you use them. Switch out sponges often and you can disinfect them every night to prevent growth of bacteria.
Shopping bags need to be cleaned too. They are used to carry various food items like meat, raw vegetables, fruit, bread, etc. meaning that using the same, unwashed shopping bag can cause cross-contamination. Make sure you wash your shopping bags as you use them.
Pouring heavy oils down the drain will certainly clog up your sink, slowing down the drainage process. If you must get rid of old oil, pour it in kitchen roll or old newspaper and put it in the dustbin.
Finally, tasting with your cooking utensil is not only uncouth but also risky. When you taste with the same stirring spoon and put it back into the pot, you're transferring germs from your mouth into the food and this could make the other members of your household sick.
