News — bacteria

If you are wondering what the best chopping board is for a cleaner kitchen, the short answer is this: a well maintained wooden board with low porosity and tight grain, such as a 45x35cm Moso bamboo board, can reduce bacterial survival by up to 3 times compared with a deeply scarred plastic board that is not replaced regularly. So why are chopping boards a breeding ground for bacteria in the first place, and how do you choose one that actually helps you keep food safer? Why are chopping boards a breeding ground for bacteria? Chopping boards and cutting boards sit...

If you clean them properly, high quality bamboo cutting boards do not harbour more bacteria than plastic or traditional wood. In fact, studies show well maintained bamboo can reduce bacterial survival by up to 90% compared with heavily scored plastic, especially when you wash within 10 minutes of use and let the board dry fully upright. Do bamboo cutting boards harbour bacteria more than other boards? Short answer: no, they usually harbour less, provided you treat them correctly. Moso bamboo is naturally dense and has a lower water absorption rate than many soft woods. That means fewer deep knife scars...

If you want the safest board for everyday home cooking, current food safety research suggests that a high quality wooden board is usually less likely to hold live bacteria after washing than a plastic board with deep knife scars. In simple terms, for most home kitchens, a well maintained wooden board is often the better choice for managing bacteria compared with a heavily worn plastic one. Wooden vs plastic cutting boards bacteria: what actually happens? When you slice chicken, chop onions or carve a roast, tiny bits of raw food and juice get into the surface of your board. The...

If you want to know whether bamboo cutting boards are hygienic, several lab studies have found that bamboo can reduce live bacteria on the surface by around 90–99% within a few hours when cleaned and dried properly, performing at least as well as plastic boards and often better than heavily scarred ones. In practical terms, a well cared for Moso bamboo board is one of the safest everyday options for home kitchens that follow basic food safety rules. What do studies say about bamboo cutting boards and bacteria? Research on wooden and bamboo boards goes back to the 1990s. Work...