4 Steps to Clean your Cutting Board and Avoid Contamination

Food poisoning is not only caused by contaminated food, but also by improper handling of cooking utensils. Whether it's a wooden cutting board, a glass cutting board, or a plastic cutting board, if not properly sanitized, it can be a breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to food poisoning.

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Every family should use separate cutting boards for raw and cooked food. In case you don’t have the means to use two separate boards, you can still use one board but you need to clean it thoroughly after each use.

Here are the following 4 steps to clean the cutting board and prevent food poisoning:

4 steps to clean the cutting board and prevent food poisoning - 1

Food poisoning is not only caused by food but also by cooking utensils.

Step 1: Wash the cutting board with hot water and soap

If you use one cutting board for both raw and cooked meat, you should wash and disinfect the board thoroughly after each use. However, you should remember that using separate boards for different purposes will help minimize the risk of food poisoning.

If you use a cutting board for raw meat and then use it for cooked meat, you should wash the board between each use as the best way to reduce bacteria on the board’s surface and avoid cross-contamination.

Whether it’s a wooden, glass, or plastic cutting board, you should wash it after each use. First, clean the board’s surface with hot water and soap to remove food debris and bacteria, then rinse with water to remove soap residue.

4 steps to clean the cutting board and prevent food poisoning - 2

Wash the cutting board with hot water and soap

Step 2: Air-dry the cutting board

After washing, use a clean towel to dry the cutting board’s surface, then stand or hang the board in the open air to air-dry naturally. Note that the towel used for drying should be clean. If the towel is not clean, there may be a risk of bacterial contamination on the board’s surface.

If you lay the board flat, especially wooden ones, it may warp. You should let the board dry completely before moving on to the next sanitizing step.

4 steps to clean the cutting board and prevent food poisoning - 3

Air-dry the cutting board

Step 3: Sanitize the cutting board

Studies have shown that depending on the type of wood used for making the cutting board, its structure, and the porosity and water absorbency of each wood type, there will be certain characteristic bacteria. Sanitizing the board to reduce bacteria on the board’s surface and minimize odor is essential.

Washing the cutting board with dish soap may not be effective. Research has shown that water with lactic acid, such as lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, can help reduce bacteria that cause food poisoning on the board’s surface.

You can sanitize the cutting board using the following formula: 15ml of dishwashing solution with 4.5 liters of water or 5ml of dishwashing solution with 950ml of water.

Here is how to sanitize a wooden cutting board:

Rub the wood surface of the board with a lemon or spray the diluted sanitizing solution onto the board’s surface. Leave it to soak for about 1-5 minutes. Rinse with water and let it air-dry like in step 2. You should sanitize the board at least once a week.

4 steps to clean the cutting board and prevent food poisoning - 4

Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar can help reduce bacteria that cause food poisoning on the cutting board’s surface.

Step 4: Maintain the cutting board with oil

Do not soak the board in water. Wooden boards are very porous and can absorb water when soaked, leading to cracking and reducing their lifespan.

Do not put the board in the dishwasher unless it’s labeled as dishwasher-safe. Many studies have shown that dishwashers can cross-contaminate bacteria from the board to dishes and utensils.

After a period of use, wooden cutting boards are prone to cracking or breaking. You should try to maintain the board regularly as the best way to preserve its moisture and prolong its lifespan. You can use mineral oils such as liquid paraffin or butcher block oil.

Apply a layer of mineral oil to the clean, dry surface of the board. Use a small paintbrush or cloth to spread the oil until the board is moist. Let the board soak overnight or for a few hours before using it.

For best results, maintain wooden cutting boards once a month.

Do not use regular cooking oil to maintain the cutting board as it can turn rancid and create an unpleasant odor.

Do not use a cracked or broken wooden cutting board as the cracks are difficult to clean. The cracks will be a hiding place for bacteria and can contribute to food poisoning. It’s best to replace the board immediately.

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