Be wary, microbe spreader, don't rest your hand on the kitchen phone.
Cooking up a storm in the kitchen with your trusty smartphone by your side? Well, hold on a sec! It seems like that handy device might not just be helping you slice and dice perfectly, but it could also be spreading nasty germs like Campylobacter or Salmonella, courtesy of your raw meat-handling sessions. These harmful bacteria can lead to some serious gastrointestinal issues, warns the Consumer Center NRW. So if you've been using your phone while prepping your meats without giving your hands a good thorough wash in between, congrats—you're basically smearing those little germy friends all over your device!
But how does this happen, you ask? It's simple, really. You could be transferring those germs from the meat to your hands, and then straight to your phone, with a little help from water splashes or sticky food residue. And then what happens? These germs get passed back and forth from your hands to other foods, kitchen surfaces, and even your smartphone itself!
Yikes! It sounds gross, doesn't it? Well, here's some good news. The Consumer Center estimates that around a million people fall ill from foodborne germs in Germany each year. To help keep that number from growing, they suggest maintaining a strict hand washing regime in the kitchen. Rinse and soap up before and after touching raw meats, making sure to do it thoughtfully when you switch from phone use to food contact.
They also reckon that many devices come with built-in voice control options, which can reduce direct finger contact and reduce the risk of germ transfer.
But, just in case those tips don't cut it, here are some additional strategies to minimize germ spread from your smartphone:
Tips and Tricks
- Keep your phone at bay: Avoid using your phone while preparation, especially when dealing with raw meat. Assume it's a germ magnet.
- Wash hands religiously: Make sure to clean your hands thoroughly before and after touching raw meat, even when your phone hasn't been directly involved.
- Sanitize regularly: Keep your phone clean by frequently wiping it with appropriate disinfectant wipes designed for electronic devices.
- Gloves galore: Use disposable gloves during food prep and change them after any contact with your phone or non-food surfaces.
- Kitchen tool hygiene: Keep kitchen tools and appliances clean and sanitized to prevent the spread of pathogens.
By adhering to these practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of spreading germs from your smartphone during food preparation, particularly when it comes to raw meat. So put down that phone, wash your hands, and get to cooking while keeping those germy hands off your gadget!
- While cooking, it's wise to keep your smartphone at a distance, especially when handling raw meat, as it might unknowingly become a magnet for harmful germs like Campylobacter or Salmonella.
- To prevent the spread of these germs during food preparation, maintain a strict hand washing regime, rinsing and soaping up before and after touching raw meats.
- Regularly sanitize your smartphone with appropriate disinfectant wipes designed for electronic devices to keep it clean and reduce the risk of germ transfer.
- Consider using disposable gloves during food preparation, changing them after any contact with your phone or non-food surfaces, to minimize the chances of germ spread.
By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of spreading bacteria from your smartphone during food preparation, especially when dealing with raw meat. So, remember to wash your hands thoroughly before cooking, keep your phone clean, and protect your health-and-wellness and food-and-drink practices from potential contamination.
