Article: Reducing bacteria in household sponges.

Introduction

Each year in the United States, an estimated 5.5 million to 6.5 million cases of food poisoning occur (1). In Europe, studies have shown that many foodborne-disease outbreaks occur in the household environment as a result of improper food preparation (2). Implicated in many instances is cross-contamination or direct contamination of food contact surfaces resulting from improper food handling, preparation, or storage (2).

Vehicles for spreading food pathogens include wet dishcloths and sponges (3-6). Many investigators have recognized the potential for dishcloths or sponges to spread micro-organisms and have noted that bacteria persist in ...

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