Where is bacteria most commonly found in a kitchen?
Sponges and rags, countertops and cutting boards are common kitchen surfaces where bacteria can thrive. Sponges and rags are the most overlooked environment for germ infestation. The cellulose sponge is ideal for bacterial growth. Here bacteria have a surface to cling to, a supply of nutrients and moisture.
The kitchen holds the title for “germiest place in the house”, where bacterial contamination is far more common than in the bathroom, for example: Kitchen rags, towels and sponges are notorious for bacterial contamination.
What is the primary source of bacteria in the kitchen?
Kitchen Sponges
Constant wiping through the greasy dishes makes it the leading candidate for the dirtiest thing found in your kitchen. It might even be a more shocking revelation to know that those sponges can host germs far greater than your bathroom toilet!
A home's kitchen sink carries more bacteria than both the toilet and the garbage can, Gerba's research found. "There's more fecal bacteria in a sink than there is in a flushed toilet," Gerba told "Today." "That's why dogs drink out of the toilet. They know better than to drink out of the kitchen sink," he joked.
Items in the kitchen can be contaminated by contact with contaminated people, foods, pets, or other environmental sources. The main way that contamination spreads in the kitchen is by our hands. Too often, people don't wash their hands before making food.
"It's one of the cleanest things you'll run across in terms of micro-organisms," he says. "It's our gold standard - there are not many things cleaner than a toilet seat when it comes to germs."
Always start with a clean work area. Wash and sanitize work surfaces, including cutting boards. Use a sanitizing solution that consists of one-quarter to one-half teaspoon of extra strength bleach to every one quart of water. Mix in a spray bottle and spray on surfaces, allowing the surface to air dry before using.
Out of sight may be out of mind, but lurking down the various plug holes in your home is a myriad of germs. According to research carried out by the Global Hygiene Council , kitchen sinks have over 17,000 bacteria per square inch while a further 13,000 can be found around the handles of the tap.
In which condition can bacteria grow in any kitchen?
The temperature range in which most bacteria grow is between 40 degrees F (5 degrees C) and 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). Raw and cooked foods should not be kept in this danger zone any longer than absolutely necessary. Undercooking or improper processing of home-canned foods can cause very serious food poisoning.
The sink is a great place for E. coli to live and grow since it's wet and moist. Bacteria feed on the food that people put down the drain and what's left on dishes in the sink.
The hard metallic surface of stainless steel makes it difficult for bacteria to adhere and survive. When properly cleaned and maintained, stainless steel surfaces resist growth of bacteria, mold and microorganisms that can cause disease.
There are less bacteria in urine than in tap water, for example. But drinking tap water is (generally) safe because it contains no toxic substances. Urine is actually pretty toxin free as well, but does contain plenty of waste products and some salts.
