20 Things in Your Kitchen That Could Be Poisoning You
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Although tasty smells and scrumptious dishes are associated with the kitchen, there are various substances that may be dangerous for your health. Most people are unaware of the toxic substances that may be present in the kitchen.
Awareness of the possible dangers helps with prevention and guides our actions regarding what we allow into our kitchens.
Plastic Containers
Plastic containers are a must have in almost every kitchen today due to its versatility and ease to use. However, these apparently harmless containers may be leaching toxic substances into your food. Bisphenol A (BPA) – an industrial chemical used for the production of plastics, has been associated with hormonal imbalance, and other diseases. To eliminate this risk, use glass or stainless steel containers to store, warm or reheat meals and other foods.
Non-Stick Cookware
Another kitchen product and a known favorite is the non-stick cookware. Although it facilitates easy food preparation and easy cleaning, it is highly risky since the substances used in production of the non-stick surface for example perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is toxic when ingested. Damaging the surface through overheating or scratching poses a risk of transferring those chemicals to your foods. One should consider using ceramic or cast iron products for cooking since they are not toxic.
Cleaning Products
The kitchen is one of the most important room in the home that needs more cleaning than other rooms and not all cleaning agents are the same. Most of them have non-friendly substances such as ammonia and bleach that triggers skin and respiratory complications. Choosing natural cleaning products such as vinegar and baking soda are as effective as the commercial ones without dangers to our health.
Pesticides on Produce
According to the National Health Institute, consuming fresh produce is an essential aspect of maintaining a healthy diet, though not all foods that grow in gardens are the same. Beware of produce treated with pesticides to prevent pests and diseases, known as conventional farming. Some of these are poisonous when taken internally, so always wash your vegetables before you take them in. In the case of vegetables, one could opt for buying organic vegetables, or better still, practice gardening in the comfort of your home, with no use of pesticides.
Sponges and Dishcloths
According to Michigan University, Items that many people would not even consider could potentially become dangerous when dirty or even just stale including sponges and dishcloths. Bacteria as E.coli and salmonella can easily grow in such areas and may make contact with your dishes and other surfaces. Clean the sponges and other cloth surfaces often and replace them every two or three weeks.
Aluminum Foil
Cooking and storing food using aluminum foil is easy, but this product may be dangerous to health. If you cook something in aluminum foil or use it to cover the food, then, of course, the aluminum from the foil will get to your food. Although no direct adverse health effects have been associated with this form of exposure to aluminum, its usage should be restricted where possible.
Air Fresheners
While using a fresh scent in the kitchen may make people want to cook in it, air fresheners contain all sorts of chemicals. Most of the air fresheners contain phthalates, a substance known to cause hormonal imbalance and other related diseases. Avoid using synthetic fragrances instead use natural ones like the essential oils and you can also open windows to let fresh air in.
Teflon-coated Appliances
Just like teflon coated cookware, teflon coated appliances also emit dangerous chemicals when used at high temperatures. This includes such items as toaster and popcorn makers. Make use of cookware and appliances that do not have teflon coatings or do not use teflon coated cookware at all.
Plastic Wrap – Knowing When It Is a Problem
Many bubble wraps are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which can release toxins into your food when wrapped in plastic. Avoid using plastic wraps for cooking and try using beeswax wraps or even silicone lids instead to reduces chemical that can seep into your food.
Canned Foods
Canned foods are easy to prepare and store but the interior coatings of cans contain bisphenol A (BPA) which gets into the canned food and is unhealthy. If possible, go for foods that are canned or packed freshly or go for packed foods that come frozen or packed in BPA-free cans.
Kitchen Towels
Kitchen towels are recognized to act as reservoirs of bacteria and germs if used to dry utensils, wipe the surface or dry hand. Make sure you wash them often in hot water, and use different towels for different purposes in order to avoid the spread of germs.
Food Dyes
Some of these processed foods contain food colors, some of which have been known to cause several illnesses including hyperactivity in children and allergies. You can go for products with naturally generated color and avoid those with these dyes on their labels.
Charred or Burnt Food
When you cook your food at high heat or even burn it you are likely to produce some HCAs and PAHs which are carcinogenic chemicals. These compounds have been associated with cancer, so, one should avoid overcooking meats and producing heavy browning.
Artificial Sweeteners
Replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners is yet another trick that people believe will help them maintain a healthy diet, but research has demonstrated that some of those products will harm the gut bacteria and make people crave sweets even more. Substitutes like honey or maple syrup instead of processed sugar can be a lot more beneficial.
Microwave Popcorn Bags
The microwave popcorn bags have per fluorinated compounds (PFCs) that can degrade to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) that is associated with many health problems. Try popcorn without added oils, or make popcorn using a stovetop popcorn popper.
Cutting Boards
Protective cutting boards, especially those made of plastic, store dangerous bacteria if they are not washed. Washing the surface with water and soap and changing or repainting cutting boards after some time will help eradicate microorganisms that cause food poisoning.
Plastic Utensils
If used for a long period, especially with heat, plastic utensils can be unhealthy because they release chemicals into food. Metal or wooden items are a better option to prevent any long term kitchen poisoning.
High-Sodium Seasonings
Many seasonings like soy sauce or bouillon cubes contain very high levels of sodium that tends to cause hypertension and other heart problems. This can also be solved by going for low sodium produced foods or skipping the use of salt in preference of herbs and spices.
Pre-Packaged Salads
Prepackaged salads, even those that may come with a lot of convenience, are normally filled with bacteria such as E. coli if washed inadequately. In the case of pre-washed salad greens, the consumer should always wash them before consumption to maximize safety.
Stored Potatoes
Green or sprouting potatoes stored in light can cause digestive problems when eaten in large amounts because they contain solanine. To avoid the formation of solanine, it is recommended that the tubers be stored in a cool, dry place away from light.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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