One out of every six Americans may develop food poisoning -- and that’s just this year. In fact, food poisoning accounts for more than 100,000 hospital visits on a yearly basis.
And that’s not all.
Food poisoning can lead to lifetime health consequences. The long-term consequences of food poisoning can include kidney failure, chronic arthritis, brain and nerve damage, and even death.
This is why it’s crucial to keep a healthy kitchen at all times. Plain and simple. Make it a priority.
To keep your kitchen healthy and safe, follow these six tips. Some of them might even surprise you.
1. Adhere to sponge safety guidelines.
Did you know that sponges can harbor dangerous bacteria -- even if they’ve only been used a few times? That’s a scary reality that many fail to realize.
According to Eat Right, sponge safety can be attained by following a few simple guidelines. First, clean your sponges daily. Microwave them for a minute or run them through the dishwasher cycle. They can be disinfected by soaking in a quarter to a half teaspoon of bleach per quart of warm water. After disinfecting sponges, store them in a dry place.