Buzz
A cutting board is a familiar and essential kitchen tool. However, improper use and hygiene can introduce diseases to your body. Discover these common mistakes in cutting board usage to avoid, ensuring the health of your family and yourself!
Numerous studies and articles emphasize that cutting boards harbor many overlooked bacteria. The surface of a cutting board can host harmful bacteria, with E.coli being a prominent example.
Using cutting boards correctly: Wooden boards used for an extended period may harbor bacteria up to 200 times more than a typical toilet seat!
Dirty cutting boards create a breeding ground for bacteria, especially in old ones with deep cuts. E.coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter, known for causing diarrhea and intestinal diseases, can easily transfer from the board to food, causing illness.
1. Use separate boards for raw fruits and vegetables, raw meat, and cooked items.
Many families have the habit of using a single cutting board for all cooking steps. After cutting raw fish, they often rinse it quickly before cutting vegetables and even cooked food.
Use the cutting board correctly. If your family has the means, equip the kitchen with at least 3 separate boards for cutting raw meat, fruits and vegetables, and cooked food.
This is highly warned as extremely dangerous. Fresh foods like various types of meat and fish contain numerous bacteria, microorganisms, and parasites. Even if washed, these cannot be entirely cleaned until the cooking process. Therefore, when using this cutting board to slice cooked food, these bacteria will once again cling to the meal. This is a crucial factor leading to food poisoning, digestive issues, and even death.
2. Using both sides of the cutting board is a common mistake
Many people are aware of the risks of using the same board for all types of food. Hence, they often utilize both sides of the board: one for cutting raw items and the other for slicing cooked food.
Use the cutting board correctly.
In reality, the cutting board used for food preparation like the kitchen floor, kitchen shelf is often a source of contamination. When placing the cutting board down, bacteria have already attached to the underside of the board. Therefore, you should only use one side of the board!
3. Using a cutting board that is too small
To save kitchen space and facilitate cleaning, or if you like small and cute utensils, you use a small-sized cutting board. Because the surface area of the cutting board is too small, food can fall out when preparing, creating conditions for external bacteria to cling to the food.
Using the cutting board correctly
Use a moderately sized cutting board, making it easier to use.
4. Keeping the cutting board consistently damp
A damp surface is an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. Instead of placing the freshly washed cutting board directly on the rack, make sure to dry it with a clean cloth before hanging it up. This significantly reduces the chances of bacteria and disease-causing microorganisms flourishing.
5. Using a moldy, cracked cutting board
Wooden cutting boards, over time, tend to absorb water, develop mold, and become cracked. The cuts from the knife form perfect habitats for disease-causing parasites to grow and thrive.
Using the cutting board the right way
In addition, not all woods are suitable for making a cutting board. Therefore, when buying a cutting board, pay attention to the material it is made of. A good product should be made from wood that is not prone to splintering, with small, firm, and smooth grains such as maple, rubberwood, or oak.
6. Neglecting cutting board maintenance
We often overlook small tips for cutting board maintenance. To extend the lifespan of the cutting board, maintain its surface by using food wrap, evenly applying cooking oil, and wrapping both sides of the board. After the board has absorbed the oil, rinse it with water and let it air dry. Applying these small tips will help prevent the cutting board from cracking and reduce the occurrence of mold.
Using the cutting board correctly
7. Neglecting regular cutting board replacement
Most of us often think that if the cutting board is still in good condition, it can still be used. However, this is a mistaken habit. Old cutting boards harbor a lot of harmful bacteria and mold. Using them is like introducing disease into your body while cooking. According to experts, replacing your cutting board every 6 to 8 months is highly recommended.
Using the cutting board correctly
8. Improperly cleaning the cutting board after use
After using the cutting board, many homemakers often just rinse it with water and then air-dry it. This can make you more susceptible to digestive issues and poisoning.
Using the cutting board correctly
Therefore, after using the cutting board, you should clean it properly using natural ingredients. For example, using vinegar, lemon, salt to scrub the surface of the cutting board. Doing so not only helps eliminate unpleasant odors on the board but also ensures the wooden board is cleaner.
Have you ever made and still making mistakes when using a cutting board? Hopefully, through this article, you can bid farewell to those errors and bring delicious meals and good health to yourself and your family!
Posted by: Ngoc Yen
Keywords: Common mistakes in using cutting boards that everyone has experienced, bringing illnesses into the body
