Category: Kitchen hygiene

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contaminated produce is a leading cause of foodborne illnesses. So, is it necessary to rinse produce? This practice is a critical step in reducing your risk of ingesting harmful bacteria, dirt, and pesticide residues from farm to table.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 600 million people fall ill after eating contaminated food each year, and 420,000 die as a result. Managing high risk foods properly is a crucial step in preventing these statistics from impacting your home or business.

Studies have shown that bacterial pathogens like *E. coli* and *Salmonella* can adhere to the surface of cucumbers and other fresh produce, posing a food safety risk. Knowing how to remove bacteria from cucumbers is a crucial step in preparing fresh ingredients and ensuring the health and safety of your meals. While washing won't eliminate all microorganisms, it significantly reduces their count.

According to food safety experts, all fresh produce, including bananas, should be washed under running water before consumption. This might seem counterintuitive for a fruit with a protective, inedible peel, but the reasoning is crucial for preventing the transfer of bacteria and other contaminants to the edible flesh.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), washing raw poultry, meat, or eggs is not recommended and can actually increase your risk of foodborne illness. This might come as a surprise to many home cooks, but understanding why these specific foods you should never wash is crucial for kitchen safety.

A recent survey found that many consumers skip washing bananas, assuming the peel is a sufficient barrier. This common misconception overlooks the potential for cross-contamination, but food safety experts confirm that even bananas should be washed to prevent germ transfer from the peel to the edible fruit during handling.

According to the National Celiac Association, glass is a non-porous surface that does not absorb gluten, which is good news for those concerned about cross-contamination. This critical fact addresses the common question: does gluten stay on glass, and if so, how do you safely manage it in a shared kitchen?

According to the FDA, disposable gloves used for food contact must be composed of a material "generally recognized as safe". This means you can indeed touch food with nitrile exam gloves, provided they are certified as food-safe. However, not all nitrile gloves are created equal, and proper handling practices are crucial to ensure safety and prevent contamination.

Celiac disease affects approximately 1 in 100 people worldwide, making strict gluten avoidance crucial for those diagnosed. For individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, understanding how to make sure utensils are gluten-free is a critical first step in preventing cross-contact and safeguarding health.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), rinsing raw meat can splash bacteria up to three feet away from your sink, making the common belief about washing meat gently a dangerous misconception. This article explains why the practice is ill-advised and provides safer, expert-approved methods for handling raw meat to protect your kitchen and family.