This pre-meal step is possible, but not necessary

When dining out, many people are used to boiling the tableware first, thinking that this procedure can sterilize and disinfect it. So, is boiling the tableware really useful?

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Before answering this question, we must first know what microorganisms are generally found on tableware?

The main ones include: bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Escherichia coli, etc.), viruses (hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, norovirus, etc.), molds (fungi) and spores , etc.

Staphylococcus aureus

Under certain conditions, enterotoxins can be produced, causing symptoms of food poisoning such as nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea.

Staphylococcus aureus is very sensitive to high temperatures, and 90% of it can be killed in 3 minutes at a temperature of 55°C . However, although Staphylococcus aureus itself cannot tolerate high temperatures, its toxins are very tenacious in the face of high temperatures, and it is the bacterial toxins, not the bacteria themselves, that cause food poisoning.

Therefore, even if most of the Staphylococcus aureus are killed, toxins may still be present if the tableware has been contaminated with a large number of bacteria.

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salmonella

Salmonella is the biggest cause of food poisoning in my country. Due to its widespread presence, it is very easy to contaminate tableware. After infection, vomiting, abdominal pain, watery stools (yellow-green) will occur. In severe cases, chills, convulsions and even coma may occur.

However, Salmonella is relatively heat-resistant and can be mostly killed within 15-30 minutes at a temperature of 55℃-60℃ .

Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli is a kind of bacteria that we often hear about. It exists in every place in our lives, such as water, food, and even in our bodies. It is a normal inhabitant of the intestines of humans and animals, and only causes acute diarrhea under special circumstances .

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Escherichia coli is also not tolerant to high temperatures and can generally be killed in 1 minute at 75°C.

Bacterial spores

Simply put, it can be understood as a dormant form of bacteria. It has strong adaptability and can resist adverse factors such as acid and drought, and is very heat-resistant. Generally speaking, boiling water cannot kill them .

Mold

Most molds can be killed at 70-80°C, but fungal spores (fungi in a dormant state) and toxins produced by some fungi cannot be killed at high temperatures. Therefore, once tableware is moldy, scalding it will not solve the problem .

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Virus

The viruses that may be on tableware include norovirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B virus, etc. Among them, norovirus is easy to kill, but hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses require hot water at 100°C .

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Scalding tableware before eating has limited effect

In summary, the key to killing microorganisms lies in temperature and time. High temperature and long enough time can effectively kill most microorganisms. But in general, the water temperature provided by restaurants is often low, and many people only scald the tableware for a maximum of ten seconds. Therefore, scalding tableware with boiling water before eating cannot guarantee the killing of most pathogenic microorganisms .

If there is any effect, it is that the water flow can carry away some bacteria, but the effect is limited. However, although it looks scary, if it is a restaurant that meets the hygiene standards, the microbial residue is generally acceptable, and it will not cause any harm to the human body if it is not hot. Only when the hygiene standards are not met may the above microorganisms remain, which is harmful to health.

When eating out, how should you handle tableware?

1) Try to go to restaurants that meet hygiene standards;

2) If you have children, you can bring your own tableware;

3) If you insist on scalding the dishes, try to use 100°C water for 1-3 minutes or 80°C for 10 minutes.

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I usually eat at home.

When using tableware, pay attention to the following points:

1) Do not stack the dishes together before they are completely dry, as this will increase the growth of bacteria;

2) Disinfect and sterilize tableware regularly;

3) "Boiling disinfection" method: Place the tableware in boiling water and boil for 5-10 minutes;

4) "Steam sterilization" method: Place the tableware in the steam cabinet, adjust the temperature to 100°C, and sterilize for 5-10 minutes.

How to prevent bacteria growth in daily life?

1) Before preparing food, hands should be thoroughly cleaned, especially under the nails;

2) When you have rhinitis or eye infection, try not to prepare food;

3) Do not prepare or touch food when your hands are wounded;

4) Keep the kitchen and dining area clean and hygienic;

5) If the prepared food is to be kept for more than 6 hours, it should be refrigerated in a refrigerator below 4°C as soon as possible;

6) Don’t use dishcloths as a “universal cloth”;

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According to investigations, the total number of bacteria per gram of table cloth is as high as hundreds of thousands, including pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, so try not to wipe tableware with a rag.

Source: Science Popularization China WeChat Official Account

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