The Disgusting Reason Your Cutting Board Could Be Contaminated With Bacteria

Updated on Feb 5, 2017 at 1:00 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

Even though you wash your cutting boards after each use — especially after handling meat — there's a chance they could be housing some serious bacteria. Plastic cutting boards are especially susceptible to contamination, more than wooden cutting boards, according to Allrecipes. The magazine took a look at plenty of common cooking truths, like alcohol boiling off and seeds making chiles spicier, in a feature called Busting 21 Kitchen Myths in its February/March 2017 issue. It turns out a lot of these widely held beliefs are false, including the idea that plastic cutting boards are more sanitary than wooden ones. Take a look at the magazine's explanation below, which is based on research from several studies and information from the USDA.

"It would seem a no-brainer that plastic cutting boards are a safer choice: After all, unlike wood, plastic boards can stand up to a dishwasher's sanitize cycle, while you have to wash wood by hand. But an influential University of Wisconsin study concluded just the opposite: Researchers found bacteria like salmonella did not survive overnight when left on wooden cutting boards, but multiplied happily on plastic. Another study found those who used plastic cutting boards at home were actually more likely to get sick from salmonella. The USDA holds that both wood and plastic are subject to contamination, so your best bet is to stay safe: Clean cutting boards thoroughly with hot water and soap before going on to prep the next food. (Prep foods like veggies before raw meat.) Replace any worn boards that have developed hard-to-clean grooves or dents that can harbor bacteria. Dry wooden boards thoroughly with a towel, and don't stack damp boards together — that is a potential petri dish."

Since a petri dish is not exactly the type of dish welcome in the kitchen, it would be wise to clean your cutting boards even more thoroughly from here on out.