How your kitchen towels can cause food poisoning
Port Louis, June 10 : The humble kitchen towels used for multi-purpose tasks can put your households at potential risk of bacteria that cause food poisoning, say researchers.
The findings showed that the towels used for wiping utensils, drying hands, holding hot utensils, wiping/cleaning surfaces, had a higher bacterial count.
Coliforms (Escherichia coli) was found to be higher in humid towels, multipurpose towels and in towels from families having non-vegetarian diets.
The presence of these potential pathogens from the kitchen towels indicates that they could be responsible for cross-contamination in the kitchen and could lead to food poisoning, the researchers said.
"Our study demonstrates that the family composition and hygienic practices in the kitchen affected the microbial load of kitchen towels," said lead author Susheela D. Biranjia-Hurdoyal, senior lecturer, at the University of Mauritius.
"We also found that diet, type of use and moist kitchen towels could be very important in promoting the growth of potential pathogens responsible for food poisoning," she added.
Further, S. aureus was isolated at a higher rate from families of lower socio-economic status and those with children.
Coliform and S. aureus were detected at significantly higher prevalence from families with non-vegetarian diets.
Escherichia coli is a normal flora of human intestine and it is released in large numbers in human feces. The presence of Escherichia coli indicates possible fecal contamination and lack of hygiene practices.
"The data indicated that unhygienic practices while handling non-vegetarian food could be common in the kitchen," Biranjia-Hurdoyal said.
For the study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Georgia, the team collected total of 100 kitchen towels after one month of use.
Out of these 49 per cent had bacterial growth which increased in number with extended family, presence on children and increasing family size.
Out of these 49 samples positive for bacterial growth, 36.7 per cent grew coliforms, 36.7 per cent Enterococcus spp and 14.3 per cent S. aureus.
"Humid towels and multipurpose usage of kitchen towels should be discouraged. Bigger families with children and elderly members should be especially vigilant to hygiene in the kitchen," Biranjia-Hurdoyal suggested.
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Man dies after 'assault' following bar brawl in Alappuzha; five held
Alappuzha (PTI): A 30-year-old man died after being allegedly assaulted by a group following a brawl at a bar in Ezhupunna here, police said on Friday.
The deceased has been identified as Nidhin, a native of Kumbalangi in Ernakulam district.
Police said five persons have been taken into custody and are being interrogated at the Aroor police station.
According to the FIR, a brawl broke out between Nidhin and three persons at a bar in Ezhupunna on Thursday night.
After coming out of the bar, Nidhin, who was sitting on his motorcycle by the roadside, was allegedly manhandled and kicked by the accused, the FIR said.
He soon lost consciousness and collapsed on the road.
People noticing Nidhin lying on the roadside, rushed him to a hospital in Kumbalangi, where he was declared dead, police said.
A case of murder has been registered on Friday and further investigation is underway.
Police said detailed statements of those in custody are being recorded, after which their arrests will be formally registered.
The body will be handed over to relatives after the post-mortem examination.
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