Dish cloths in restaurants may contain food poisoning bugs

Categories: Food Health and Safety |


Dish cloths in restaurants may contain food poisoning bugs Cleaning and catering companies might wish to launch into a spring clean around their workplace after research found bacteria that can lead to food poisoning exists on dish cloths.

A study carried out by the Health Protection Agency last year found over half (56 per cent) of cloths used to clean surfaces and equipment were harbouring bugs including E.coli and listeria, both of which can lead to bouts of sickness if ingested in significant quantities.

Further research published this year by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health found a huge 96 per cent of dish cloths used in homes contain dangerous bacteria.

Julie Barratt, director of the organisation, pointed out: "Damp, warm conditions in the kitchen mean that bacteria on dish cloths can multiply and be transferred back onto worktops and other kitchen surfaces. Sponge cloths could harbour even higher levels of bacteria because they hold on to more water than other cloths."

It may be wise for those working in the food industry to invest in spill kits so mess can be quickly disposed of without having to use dirty wash cloths.
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