It’s important to keep kitchen cloths clean to avoid spreading bacteria from one food to another.
After learning all about microscopic life in your food, you might be getting a little concerned. Don’t worry—most food is safe and healthy most of the time. And there are things you can do to make sure you keep your food free from microscopic invaders.
Keeping clean
Many kitchen bacteria are helpful or at least harmless. They will compete with harmful bacteria to keep food safe. You can help, too, by keeping things clean, and the most important thing to keep clean is you! Bacteria will travel quickly from your skin onto food. It’s really important to wash your hands after petting animals, using the bathroom, and playing outside. Never forget to wash your hands before touching food.
You may be surprised to know that the sponges and cloths we use for cleaning hold more bacteria than anything else! Bacteria can spread from a sponge to a dish and then to your food. Sponges and cloths need to be washed in very hot water or even heated in the microwave for two minutes to kill bacteria.
Hot and cold
Bacteria multiply faster in warm conditions. To slow decay, keep meat, produce, and dairy foods in the refrigerator or freezer. Proper heating and cooking will kill bacteria altogether. For example, Salmonella in eggs, chicken, and red meat die when these foods are thoroughly cooked.
