40% of food infections occur in the household. ANSES is launching a survey to find out about the practices of the French. Detailed review.
Gastroenteritis, salmonellosis or even listeriosis, are all diseases contracted from microbes carried by food, utensils or worktops. According to the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (Handles), 40% of these infections occur in the family, most often during meals. This is why in recent days, the Agency has been inviting itself into our kitchens. How? ‘Or’ What ? With the help of a survey that will allow its researchers to better understand the hygiene habits of the French. So how can a simple family meal turn into a nightmare?
26 bacteria on food
When you go to bite an apple or enjoy a tomato, no less than 26 bacteria are present on raw fruits and vegetables. These bacterial groups were identified by two researchers at the University of Colorado. A very varied flora but which does not have the same concentration from one product to another.
Some fruits harbor more bacteria than others. Likewise, variations exist depending on the type of agriculture. If it is organic, fruits and vegetables will have less enterobacteriaceae, that is to say fecal bacteria. A somewhat unsavory prospect, certainly, but these microbes are harmless when ingested by humans, reassure scientists. Unless you remove the skin, however, they advise wash with water.
But it is also recommended to use clean knives to cut these products. Contamination of vegetables and fruits always comes from the outside. It can occur at the time of conservation or packaging but also when the knife used has been used to cut the meat just before.
To guarantee a certain food security, it would be necessary to clean and disinfect his rrefrigerator at least once a month. You can use a bit of bleach, but it must be well diluted in water and above all it must be rinsed very well, because the bleach attacks the surface of the refrigerator. It is also possible to simply rub with a little water and soap, using a new sponge. New, because unless you disinfect it first, the old sponge that has been lying around for some time in the sink is the best way to re-cover the inside of your fridge with bacteria.
In addition, another rule is essential in terms of food safety, check theat the temperature inside the fridge. It must be between 0 and 4 degrees, beyond that, bacteria, such as salmonella or listerias multiply. If your refrigerator does not have a thermostat, it is advisable to immerse a thermometer in a glass of water and put it in the fridge. After an hour, the thermometer will indicate the exact temperature at which your food is stored.
In addition, be sure to systematically cover all started products, cheeses, leftovers, whatever the type of food. According to a survey conducted by the French Food Agency, only 37% of people protect their food with plastic wrap or in an airtight box to avoid contamination.
Finally, remember that the hot weather all the more promotes the development of microorganisms responsible for food poisoning. So when you go shopping, if it’s very hot, bring cooler bags, at least for the most perishable foods. And then, try to be organized, when you do your shopping for example, take at the last moment, really just before going to checkout, the freshest products or the frozen ones.
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