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Science is something that helps us on many different levels. We use it when we look at the stars or under the waters of the ocean. We may even use science to take a closer look at our homes.

Interestingly, when we take a closer look at our kitchen with science in mind, we see it as more of a petri dish than an area where we tend to congregate and eat. It is an area we like to think is clean, but does science agree?

Photo: Pexels/Jean van der Meulen

In the Journal of Food Protection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture commissioned a study that was published. It looked at meal preparation and cross-contamination in the kitchen area.

371 people were involved in this experiment. To determine the spread of bacteria, the study’s authors used bacteriophage MS2 and inserted it into uncooked ground turkey patties.

Before you get too concerned, bacteriophage MS2 is a virus that can infect bacteria, but it doesn’t cause any harm to humans. Nobody was put in danger in the name of science.

Photo: Pexels/Pixabay

After providing the participants with the infected raw turkey burgers and some prepackaged lettuce, they told him to get to work. What do they discover?

When the participants were preparing the turkey patties and grabbing utensils and other items in the kitchen, there was a lower cross-contamination rate. It ended up being 20% or less on any countertops or utensils the participants touched.

On the other hand, the highest levels of MS2 were found on spice jars, with a level of 48%. In other words, the spice racks were the dirtiest area in the kitchen after the experiment.

Photo: Pexels/Taryn Elliott

Other areas that you might think would be contaminated were better than the spice jars. This includes the lid of the trashcan and the cutting board.

According to Food Safety News, the study’s lead author, Donald Schaffner, said: “In addition to more obvious surfaces like cutting boards, garbage can lids and refrigerator handles, here’s something else that you need to pay attention to when you’re trying to be clean and sanitary in your kitchen.”

Schaffner went on to say that research shows touching spice containers when preparing raw meat could result in cross-contamination. It’s good to keep this in mind when preparing a meal.

Photo: Pexels/Joe L

After you handle raw meat or poultry, it’s essential to wash your hands. Obviously, the participants in this study could have been better hand washers because that would have stopped the transfer of pathogens to the spice containers.

The CDC also weighs in with a recommendation for how to handle food safely.

1. Clean your hands on the working surfaces.

2. Keep raw foods separate from other foods.

3. Cook to the recommended temperature.

4. Refrigerate cooked items within two hours.

And our recommendation, wipe down the spice containers, for Pete’s sake.