Don't take kitchen hygiene for granted!
Most people don’t think twice about hygiene in the kitchen. After all, it’s just cooking, right? However, if hygiene isn’t taken seriously in the kitchen, it can lead to severe consequences. Unclean surfaces and utensils can quickly become contaminated with bacteria, which can then be passed on to the food.
Food poisoning is no joke. According to the CDC, 1 in 6 Americans get sick from foodborne illnesses yearly, and 128,000 people are hospitalized. Even more alarming, 3,000 people die each year from food poisoning. So it’s pretty clear that kitchen hygiene is essential. And yet, a lot of people take it for granted. They don’t wash their hands after handling raw meat, they don’t clean up spills right away, and they don’t sanitize countertops and cutting boards regularly. As a result, their kitchens become breeding grounds for bacteria. In addition, poor kitchen hygiene can also lead to the spread of other diseases, such as salmonella and E. coli.
Fortunately, there are some simple steps that you can take to embrace kitchen hygiene and create a safer environment for cooking and eating:
- Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling food, as this will help reduce the spread of bacteria.
- Clean all surfaces in the kitchen regularly with a disinfectant spray or wipes, including countertops, cutting boards, appliances, door knobs, and sink areas.
- Be sure to keep food stored properly and never let it sit out for too long.
- Get rid of kitchen waste every morning or evening.
So next time you’re tempted to skip a step in your kitchen hygiene routine, think about how much you’re risking. A little extra effort can make your kitchen a safe and welcoming space.