Myth 1: Wooden cutting boards have more bacteria
In our lives, sometimes we hear things, we read things and we live by it thinking it's right. Sometimes it turns out it is just a myth. So tonight, I'm going to start a little series about some common food myths. The first myth being that one should never use wooden cutting board for meat because they are full of bacteria.
It is commonly believed that the sharp knife cutting into the board causes little scratches, through which later juices from meat settle into. They become a breeding grown for bacteria that cannot be easily washed away. As a result, wooden cutting boards become a 'no no.' Plastic cutting boards are better. Now some even say they are made with anti-microbial technology that ensures it remains bacteria free.
Sadly, it's all just a myth. It doesn't matter what kind of cutting board you use, wooden or plastic, it does not reduce the number of bacteria, according to University of California: Davis, Dean O. Cliver, Ph.D of the UC-Davis Food Safety Laboratory.
Although bacteria does go through the cuts in the wooden cutting board, the bacteria are said to settle deep inside where it is very difficult for it to resurface. You would have to splot the board open first. Once they are inside, they also do not multiply and often die.
Plastic cutting boards too result in bacteria even after cleaning. I suppose this means, that whether you use wooden or plastic cutting boards, there will be bacteria.
The most important lesson though, is to ensure that you keep your cutting board clean. Clean well after each use. Which one is better? I cannot tell, but I can tell you I love the feel of cutting down into a wooden cutting board. Others may like plastic because its light and convenient and feels 'clean.' It's really up to you. Myth be gone! Wood is as good as plastic!
It is commonly believed that the sharp knife cutting into the board causes little scratches, through which later juices from meat settle into. They become a breeding grown for bacteria that cannot be easily washed away. As a result, wooden cutting boards become a 'no no.' Plastic cutting boards are better. Now some even say they are made with anti-microbial technology that ensures it remains bacteria free.
Sadly, it's all just a myth. It doesn't matter what kind of cutting board you use, wooden or plastic, it does not reduce the number of bacteria, according to University of California: Davis, Dean O. Cliver, Ph.D of the UC-Davis Food Safety Laboratory.
Although bacteria does go through the cuts in the wooden cutting board, the bacteria are said to settle deep inside where it is very difficult for it to resurface. You would have to splot the board open first. Once they are inside, they also do not multiply and often die.
Plastic cutting boards too result in bacteria even after cleaning. I suppose this means, that whether you use wooden or plastic cutting boards, there will be bacteria.
The most important lesson though, is to ensure that you keep your cutting board clean. Clean well after each use. Which one is better? I cannot tell, but I can tell you I love the feel of cutting down into a wooden cutting board. Others may like plastic because its light and convenient and feels 'clean.' It's really up to you. Myth be gone! Wood is as good as plastic!
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