Food hygiene and managing kitchen surfaces

Most people believe that they are generally well organised when it comes to safety in the kitchen. However, the truth is that many of us are not nearly as well-informed as we should be about food hygiene. Washing your hands regularly is only a small part of the battle, as harmful microorganisms and germs can lurk in various places throughout the kitchen increasing the risk of food poisoning.

The truth is, cross contamination is often a bigger problem than most people assume. With that in mind, here are some safety tips that you can follow to help keep yourself and your family as safe as possible.

Dish towels and kitchen surfaces

Dish towels are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to spreading bacteria and contamination throughout the kitchen. Try to use different towels for different purposes instead of simply using one cloth for all of the same reasons. For example, you shouldn’t be using the same towel to wipe down your kitchen counters that you do for drying your hands after washing produce.

Furthermore, all of the surfaces in your kitchen should be regularly wiped down using clean towels and kitchen sanitising products in order to kill off any harmful bacteria.

Keeping sponges sanitary

Many people believe that because sponges are used to clean dishes and kitchen counters in combination with various cleaning products, they do not harbour germs. However, the truth is that your sponges can be some of the least sanitary items throughout your kitchen.

Make sure that you either soak your sponges in bleach periodically to keep them clean, or run them through a hot cycle in your washing machine to get rid of excess germs. If your sponges begin to smell or look dirty, then contamination has already set in, and the sponge should be discarded.

Remember, sponges should be frequently replaced and washed frequently throughout their use.