If you’ve cleaned your kitchen recently, you may have noticed dirt in various nooks and crannies, but now scientists have revealed areas in your kitchen that you should pay more attention to.
The researchers revealed that spice containers are one of the most important things to pay attention to. During cooking, people constantly hold spice containers, which leads to the transfer of contaminants to them.
The study, commissioned by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Service, found that 48 percent of the samples studied showed evidence of contamination.
The researchers said that the spice containers were dirtier than the boxes, cutlery and sink used for cleaning dishes.
Study author Donald Schaffner said: “If a person handles a contaminated spice packet and then accidentally puts a finger in their mouth, this might lead to ingestion of food poisoning bacteria.”
In order to avoid danger, Schaffner said, “You should wash your hands with soap and water following touching raw meat, in order to avoid transferring any pathogens to spice racks or others.”
In order to discover the dirtiest areas of the kitchen, the experts recruited 371 people, then asked the participants to prepare “turkey burgers” from scratch.
The scientists included harmless tracker bacteria in the meat, which the participants were not told were there.
Once the chefs left the kitchen, paramedics swabbed the kitchen surfaces for traces of contamination, according to Sky News Arabia.
Apart from the spice rack, knobs, placemats, sponges, and faucet handles are all ranked among the most contaminated.
And while spice jars are extremely dangerous, experts have also warned that stovetops can emit dangerous gases.
Jonathan Levy, a professor of environmental health at Boston University in the US, said that stove cooking may cause asthma in children and put adults at risk of cancer.
Another study also found so-called “forever chemicals” lurking in pots, pans, spoons and other household items.
Experts at the University of Southern California said the chemicals might increase the risk of liver cancer.
The chemical, peroxide sulfate, is known as a “forever chemical” because it takes years to degrade in the environment.