Complete Story
 

07/06/2018

Are You Spreading Bacteria?

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture press release, June 27, 2018

Study Shows Most People Are Spreading Dangerous Bacteria Around the Kitchen and Don’t Even Realize It.

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2018 – A new study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that when it comes to handwashing before meals, consumers are failing to properly clean their hands 97 percent of the time. Rushed handwashing can lead to cross-contamination of food and other surfaces, resulting in foodborne illness. 

“As a mother of three young children, I am very familiar with the mad dash families go through to put dinner on the table,” said Carmen Rottenberg, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at USDA. “You can’t see, smell or feel bacteria. By simply washing your hands properly, you can protect your family and prevent that bacteria from contaminating your food and key areas in your kitchen.” 

The preliminary results of the observational study, conducted by USDA in collaboration with RTI International and North Carolina State University, showed some concerning results. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 48 million Americans are sickened with foodborne illnesses each year, resulting in roughly 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. Children, older adults and those with compromised immune systems are especially at risk. 

With grilling season upon us, USDA is reminding consumers to use a food thermometer and cook meat and poultry products to the recommended safe internal temperatures. When cooking meat and poultry patties, insert the thermometer through the side of the patty until the probe reaches the center of the patty. 

Meat and poultry products are done when they reach these minimum internal temperatures:

Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw meat, poultry or eggs. Make sure you are washing for a full 20 seconds, and always dry your hands on a clean towel. 

More information about this study is available in an executive summary.

Have questions? Need more food safety information? Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MP-HOTLINE (1-888-674-6854). Live food safety experts are available Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Expert advice is also available 24/7 at AskKaren.gov.

Editor's Note:  You might want to take steps to ensure that you are protecting yourself and your family and spreading the word to your employees. 

In addition, a large number of our members have break rooms and kitchens where food is prepared by employees and it would be a good practice to hand a sign encouraging everyone to make sure they wash their hands properly before and after handling their food, especially if it involves raw meat, poultry or eggs. 

Printer-Friendly Version