The kitchen is one of the spaces of the house where cleansing is most valued, but attention does not always extend to all utensils, and a Spanish expert has left a warning that has surprised many: In many kitchens, wooden spoons can accumulate more bacteria than a toilet lid.
A warning that generates impact
The alert, quoted by the Diario de Cadiz newspaper, was left by doctor Manuel Viso, who recalls that Madeira, although traditional and widely used in Mediterranean cuisine, requires specific care. Its porosity, combined with moisture and food scraps after meal preparation, creates an environment conducive to the proliferation of bacteria.
According to the expert, the problem is not so much in the utensil itself, but in the way it is used and careful. The poor condition or lack of proper sanitation can turn a simple object of daily life into a health risk.
Maintenance and Substitution
The recommendation is clear: keep the wooden spoons in good condition and replace them regularly. Whenever they have evident cracks or wear, the risk of waste accumulation is virtually inevitable.
In addition, in many kitchens, simple practices such as washing immediately, drying completely before storing and avoiding the use of the dishwasher can help prolong the life of these utensils and reduce bacteria proliferation.
Hygiene advice
This doctor agrees with some essential guidelines: Wash the spoons with hot and detergent water, dry well before storing them and avoid excessive temperatures or abrasive products that increase the porosity of the wood. The key is to prevent food and moisture remains from being retained in the material as this accelerates the degradation and multiplies the risk of contamination, according to the same source.
Safer alternatives
Manuel Viso himself suggests that the choice of materials in the kitchen is diversified. Silicone, for example, is heat resistant, easy to clean and safe for nonstick skillets. Stainless steel is hygienic and lasting, while bamboo appears as a more ecological and less porous option than conventional wood.
The idea is not to completely abandon the wooden spoons, but to combine them with more hygienic alternatives, reducing risks without losing tradition.
Between tradition and modernity
The use of wooden spoons remains very common in many Portuguese and Mediterranean families, where it occupies a prominent place in the making of traditional dishes. Still, this utensil may not be the safest option when it is not properly cared for, according to the.
At a time when food security is becoming increasingly important, alerts like this help to rethink rooted habits that often go unnoticed.
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