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Listen to this siteTuesday 29 March 2005
This research project will obtain a representative amount of information on the potential for bacterial contamination of kitchen cloths from domestic kitchens in the UK.
Study Duration : September 2000 to March 2002
Contractor : Central Science Laboratory
Foodborne diseases have been associated with the domestic environment. The extent to which kitchen cloths in household in the UK could potentially contribute to food hygiene and be involved in cross-contamination has not been researched in this country over a demographically representative sample of households.
The purpose of this study is to obtain a representative amount of information on the potential for bacterial contamination of kitchen cloths from domestic kitchens in the UK. The information and knowledge resulting from this project will assist the Food Standards Agency in preparation of a publicity campaign to increase consumer knowledge of the food hygiene implications of this routinely used cloth and its potential role in cross-contamination
The scientific state of the field will be established initially by a literature review. The methodologies for microbiological analysis of domestic kitchen cloths for a range of pathogenic, spoilage and indicator micro-organisms will also be established for the pilot study. A draft questionnaire will be prepared with assistance from a market research company.
Twenty households will be visited and their kitchen cloths will be analysed. In addition, a swab from the kitchen surface which was most often wiped with the cloth being tested will be taken and analysed. The questionnaire will be filled in during an interview with the householder. Following the pilot study the questionnaire will be modified for the national survey.
The national survey will be performed on the basis of 20 minute interviews whereby the 'in use' kitchen cloth will be collected and sent for analysis. In total 1009 cloths will be analysed for Salmonella spp. E. coli O157, Campylobacter spp. Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli , Enterobacteriaceae and total viable count (TVC). The corresponding questionnaires will be analysed and entered into a database. Statistical analysis will be carried out on microbiological data and questionnaire responses.
A laboratory study will be carried out to assess the potential risk of survival and growth of the pathogenic and indicator micro-organisms that were most often identified during the national survey in domestic kitchen cloths. The effects of nutrients, temperature, moisture contents and cloth type on the survival of micro-organisms in artificially inoculated cloth sections will also be investigated. Cross-contamination from these artificially contaminated cloth sections to different surfaces are also to be investigated using a standardised method by analysing the microbial content of swabs from contact areas.
A national survey was completed in which 1009 'in-use' kitchen cloths were analysed for Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., E. coli O157, L. monocytogenes, E. coli, S. aureus , Enterobacteriaceae and Total Viable Count.
E. coli O157 and Campylobacter spp. were not detected. However S. arizonae (0.1%), L. monocytogenes (1.4%), S. aureus (12.2%) and Enterobacteriaceae (36.4%) were found on the kitchen cloths.
The majority of households used standard cotton cloths (54.6%) followed by J-cloth/general purpose cloths (24.8%) and sponges with scourer (13%). Around 30% of respondents cleaned their cloth in the washing machine or they replaced it when they felt it was necessary, 40% hand wash/soaked their cloths, 76% soaked in bleach, 14% in water and washing up liquid, 8% in ordinary soap powder and 6% in disinfectant. Forty-three per cent of households washed or soaked their cloths several times a week, 28% every night/day and 23% about once a week. Thirty-two per cent of households would replace their cloth weekly, 27% monthly, 25% fortnightly and 13% every couple of months. Eighty-five percent of respondents were aware of the term 'cross-contamination'.
Studies were also carried out to investigate the growth of pathogens in the cloths under various conditions: with and without nutrients at 20 and 30°C. Both E. coli O157 and E. coli were able to grow at high numbers for 6 days without nutrients. S. aureus was more sensitive to drying and it persisted in dry cloths for 1-2 days but for 6 days in moist cloths. L. monocytogenes persisted in cloths for at least 2 days and, in the presence of nutrients, high counts were maintained for 6 days. S. arizonae was eliminated after 2 days without nutrients and high counts were also eliminated after 2 days without nutrients. C. jejuni was unable to survive longer than 24 hours in cloths irrespective of the presence of nutrients. Mixtures of micro-organisms did not affect the behaviour observed for individual micro-organisms in cloths. In cloths containing 'microban' E. coli and S. aureus persisted with or without the presence of nutrients for 1-2 days, whereas L. monocytogenes was more persistent and was found for up to 6 days.
The final report is available from the FSA Library and Information centre.
To obtain a copy, please contact the Enquiry Desk,
Dr Elsie Widdowson Library and Information Services, Food Standards Agency, (tel: 020 7276 8181/8182 or email:
library&info@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
).
Poster presentation:
Leuschner, R.G. and Capps, K. (2000). Investigation of the bacterial profile found in domestic kitchen cloths. In: Book of abstracts 'Preventing infectious intestinal disease in the domestic setting: a shared responsibility'. Central Public Health Laboratory, London, UK.
Osborn R., Robinson, S., Capps, K., Leuschner, R.G. (2000). Investigation of the bacterial profile found in domestic kitchen cloths. In: Book of abstracts 'Preventing infectious intestinal disease in the domestic setting: a shared responsibility'. Central Public Health Laboratory, London, UK
Contact
: For any enquiries concerning this research project, please contact the relevant programme contact or email
science@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
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