Controlling Foodborne Illness: The Uninvited Holiday Guest

Maid Brigade Shares Proper Cleaning and Disinfection Tips for Holiday Health
 
ATLANTA - Nov. 13, 2014 - PRLog -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year one in six Americans get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases. With the holidays approaching, proper cleaning and disinfection in the kitchen can help prevent foodborne illness from being the uninvited guest that spoils the celebration.

“Food is such a huge part of the holiday season and the kitchen can become a hot spot for germs,” says Marie Stegner, consumer health advocate for Maid Brigade, the leading maid service company. “Understanding how to properly clean and disinfect will help keep your holidays happy and healthy.”

Two out of three people use improper disinfection techniques, according to research conducted by Maid Brigade.

“Just spraying and wiping your disinfectant is not effective in killing bacteria and germs,” Stegner says. “Proper disinfection is a three-step process.”

To help you prepare for the busy holiday season, Maid Brigade offers a Foodborne Illness Infographic featuring proper disinfection tips and five ways to combat foodborne illness in your kitchen.

1. Drink Dispensers
Drink dispensers are an opportunity for cross contamination. If you refilled your water glass during meal prep the germs from your hands can transfer from your glass to the dispenser trigger, putting others at risk. Clean, then wipe with diluted white vinegar.

2. Cutting Boards
Cutting boards are hot spots for salmonella and listeria. Use only non-porous chopping blocks and cutting boards for food preparation as wood grain can harbor bacteria. Clean with hot water and soap as soon as possible, avoiding contact with other dishes and utensils. Disinfect naturally with diluted lemon juice; then rinse again with hot water.

3. Light Switches
If you haven’t thoroughly washed your hands or re-contaminated them before leaving the room, you could be contaminating a high touch surface, putting others at risk. Clean, then wipe light switches with diluted white vinegar daily and after meal prep when meat and fish are on the menu.

4. Handles, Controls, Faucets
Appliance door handles, control panels, and faucets seem nearly impossible to avoid touching while your hands are contaminated. Clean after every meal prep with diluted white vinegar.

5. Spatulas
E. coli, as well as mold and yeast, lurk on spatulas. Pull apart if possible and clean completely to remove food residues and bacteria from inside the spatula and on the end of the handle.

To view the complete Foodborne Illness Infographic visit www.maidbrigade.com/foodborne-germs.For more holiday cleaning and healthy living tips, check out Stegner’s blog at www.maidbrigade.com/blog.

About Maid Brigade
Headquartered in Atlanta, Maid Brigade is the only house cleaning service that is Green Clean Certified® with more than 400 franchise service areas in the United States and Canada. Established in 1979, Maid Brigade is the green cleaning industry leader and has a longstanding legacy of providing quality customer service and consistent and thorough cleaning using the most advanced techniques and equipment. The company has also implemented a consumer advocacy program in response to reports from the Environmental Protection Agency linking chemicals in traditional cleaning products to a wide range of health risks. For more information visit www.maidbrigade.com or call 866-800-7434.

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