Study reveals surprising kitchen hotspots for harmful bacteria

Although we won’t get a fine from the health inspection for dirt in our kitchen, we might suffer the consequences in much more severe ways. Food poisoning is no joke; regular cleaning where we prepare food should be the world's most prominent “programmed” activity. The problem is that even those who are exceptionally thorough in this matter cannot always predict where the most significant amount of potentially dangerous fungi and bacteria might be. Studies have shown that sponges and clothes are just the beginning of the "fun."

In 2022, NSF International—an organization that studies cleanliness and health issues at various levels of private and public life—conducted an experiment during which the homes of 22 American families were examined for dirt and harmful microorganisms. Thirty different items from their homes were tested, and it was found that sponges and dishcloths had the most bacteria from the E. coli group. What an irony!

The second place — if you can call it that — in the same study was taken by the kitchen sink and the third — by the countertop. Just off the podium was the cutting board. Remember that the study included 30 everyday items from the whole house. Kitchen items occupied the top four places.

Rosemary Trout, Director of Food Science at Drexel University, talked about kitchen dirt with a journalist from delish.com. She revealed that not only can we encounter numerous serious bacteria on countertops, sponges, cloths, and cutting boards — from E. coli to Staphylococcus aureus. The specialist also mentioned such much less expected surfaces as handles and knobs, spice containers, and vegetable drawers in the fridge.

Admit it: we sometimes touch these surfaces without thoroughly washing our hands. And then we see the results!