There is an item in our kitchen that is used several times a day. However, we often do not realize that it may contain more germs than we can imagine. Therefore, it is worth paying special attention to this item and taking care of its hygiene.
Not everyone realizes how many germs there are on items that are used every day in the kitchen. We’re talking about a cutting board. The knives leave small depressions and cracks on it, which become deeper over time. This is where all kinds of residues and moisture accumulate.
This creates ideal conditions for the multiplication of microorganisms. As a result, on the cutting board, or more precisely in its crevices, may include, among others:
- Fecal bacteria that come from unwashed hands or contaminated products.
- Listeria, which is especially dangerous for people with weakened immunity, as well as pregnant women.
- Salmonella, typical of raw poultry and eggs.
- E. coli often found in raw beef and dirty vegetables.
It is therefore very important to follow a few basic rules that will make everyday use of a cutting board safer for our health.
To effectively reduce the risk of transferring bacteria from one product to another, an important rule should be applied: two separate cutting boards. It is recommended to use one of them only for raw meat, fish and poultry, i.e. products that most often constitute a source of dangerous pathogens.
In turn, the second board should used for cutting vegetables, bread, fruit and other food products that do not need to be heat treatedso that they are suitable for eating. Thanks to this, we will reduce the risk of the so-called cross-contamination, and thus we will actually improve food safety in the kitchen.
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It is also very important to take care of the hygiene of the cutting board every day. Simply rinsing it under running water will not be enough. It should be cleaned thoroughly after each washing. We can simply use hot water and dishwashing liquidcarefully scrubbing the entire surface and then drying it well.
It’s also a good idea using vinegar, which has antibacterial properties. Just spray the board with the product and leave it for a few minutes, then scrub it and rinse it thoroughly.
After each washing, remember to dry the board vertically and make sure it dries completely, as it creates ideal conditions for the growth of bacteria. Let’s also not forget to replace the board when it appears with deep grooves and cuts that are difficult to clean.
