Points to note that a wife wants to teach her husband! How to reduce unsanitary behaviors in the kitchen

1. Introduction

While more men are taking up cooking, “unsanitary behaviors” in the kitchen can occur without notice. Without paying attention to hygiene management, such as how to handle ingredients and use cooking utensils, even well-prepared dishes can be ruined. Especially for wives who regularly work in the kitchen, there may be behaviors that make them think “Please stop doing that!” This article introduces unsanitary kitchen behaviors that husbands should be mindful of and how to improve them.

2. Practical Points and Specific Examples

• **”Forgetting to wash hands”**Do you wash your hands thoroughly before cooking and after handling raw meat or fish? For example,
  • Starting to cook without washing hands after taking ingredients from the refrigerator
  • Cutting vegetables with the same hands that touched raw meat
  • Touching ingredients without washing hands after using the bathroom. These can lead to food poisoning. As countermeasures, develop habits like “wash hands first when entering the kitchen,” “wash immediately after touching meat or fish,” and “change hand towels frequently.”
• **”Touching other items after handling raw meat or fish”**When handling raw ingredients like chicken or fish, care must be taken to prevent bacteria from spreading. For example,
  • Touching the refrigerator or condiment bottles with hands that handled raw meat
  • Cutting vegetables with a knife that was used to cut raw fish without washing it
  • Reusing cutting boards without properly washing them between ingredients. To prevent these behaviors, practice things like “use separate cutting boards and knives for raw meat,” “prepare all ingredients before cutting,” and “be conscious of how often you wash your hands.”
• **”Leaving sinks and countertops as they are”**Leaving dirty sinks and countertops during cooking can lead to bacterial growth. For example,
  • Leaving food scraps and not draining water
  • Piling up used cooking utensils in the sink
  • Leaving cutting boards and knives unwashed. To prevent this, develop habits like “wipe frequently while cooking,” “wash items immediately after use,” and “organize workspace.”
• **”Improperly storing ingredients”**Incorrect storage methods not only reduce freshness but also increase the risk of food poisoning. For example,
  • Putting partially used vegetables in the refrigerator without wrapping them
  • Placing raw meat on upper shelves where juices can drip onto other foods
  • Leaving items at room temperature without knowing proper refrigeration and freezing rules. To prevent these issues, it’s important to follow basic rules like “properly seal raw meat,” “be mindful of refrigerator organization,” and “wrap partially used ingredients before storing.”
• **”Not keeping cooking utensils and dishcloths clean”**Cutting boards, knives, sponges, and dishcloths can become breeding grounds for bacteria if not properly maintained. For example,
  • Leaving cutting boards without drying after washing
  • Using the same sponge for days without replacing it
  • Reusing damp dishcloths. To prevent this, maintain cleanliness habits like “sanitize cutting boards with hot water,” “replace sponges regularly,” and “frequently wash and dry dishcloths.”

3. Important Points and Tips

Kitchen hygiene management often goes unnoticed unless consciously considered. Therefore, it’s important for husbands to understand “what is unsanitary” and take initiative to improve before their wives become frustrated. Also, instead of thinking “it’s probably fine” when cautioned, adopt an attitude of “if it bothers someone, let’s improve it.” It’s also good to establish “kitchen cleanliness rules” through discussion between spouses.

4. Summary and Next Actions

Unsanitary behaviors in the kitchen can increase the risk of food poisoning and affect family health. Start by focusing on “thorough hand washing,” “proper ingredient handling,” “keeping sinks and countertops clean,” and “reviewing storage methods.” Since the kitchen is a space used by the whole family, it’s important to create an environment where everyone can cook comfortably while being mindful of each other.