How to disinfect chopsticks

Chopsticks are a traditional eating utensil used by Chinese people, and in a sense, chopsticks also represent Chinese traditional culture. The chopsticks used in most households are wooden chopsticks, which need to be disinfected regularly because wooden chopsticks are very easy to breed bacteria, which can easily cause gastrointestinal diseases if accidentally eaten. What is the correct way to disinfect chopsticks?

1. How to disinfect chopsticks

(1) Steaming method

The steaming method is more suitable for our daily life. After we wash the chopsticks, we can put them into the water. Boil the water for about 30 minutes. If you boil it for too short a time, the disinfection effect will not be achieved. If it is convenient, you can steam the chopsticks directly in a steamer. Because the temperature of water vapor is relatively high, it only takes 10 minutes.

(2) Microwave oven method

Microwave disinfection is convenient to use, but the temperature and time must be controlled well. 3-5 minutes on medium heat is enough. The disinfection in the microwave may not be very good.

(3) Household disinfection cabinet

Nowadays, many families have their own disinfection cabinet. However, the temperature of the sterilizer should not be too high when sterilizing, especially when there are plastic chopsticks inside.

2. How to use chopsticks in a healthy way

1. Rinse the chopsticks with boiling water before use. Rinse off any dust attached to it.

2. When putting chopsticks into the chopstick cage, make sure they are dry before putting them in, because wet chopsticks will cause bacteria to grow inside the chopstick cage.

3. After taking out the chopsticks, do not place them on the table, but on the plate. Avoid secondary infection.

Wooden chopsticks and bamboo chopsticks are the safest. Because chopsticks are often exposed to high temperatures, bamboo chopsticks and wooden chopsticks will not release harmful substances due to high temperatures.

3. Which chopsticks are best for eating?

1. Bamboo chopsticks – the best choice

When we choose chopsticks, bamboo chopsticks are the first and best choice. It is non-toxic and harmless, very environmentally friendly, and the cheapest of all chopsticks. Good quality bamboo chopsticks will not deform even when exposed to high temperatures, making them the best choice for eating.

2. Natural wooden chopsticks

Wooden chopsticks? Many chopsticks are made of wood. So, can they all be used? Of course not! What is recommended is the natural wooden chopsticks. On the contrary, wooden chopsticks painted with colorful paint are the least recommended for use. Otherwise, the patient may develop cancer over time.

3. Painted chopsticks

Painted chopsticks are very beautiful and come in many different shapes, but it is precisely these beautiful chopsticks that are least recommended for use in daily life. Because heavy metals, lead, organic solvents such as benzene in paints can cause many unknown hidden dangers to the body and affect health.

4. Plastic chopsticks

Plastic chopsticks are brightly colored and uniquely shaped, so many young people and children like them very much. The colorful chopsticks also allow us to easily distinguish the chopsticks of the host and the guests, and they look very good when placed in the chopstick box. However, plastic chopsticks are relatively brittle and easily deform and melt when heated, producing substances that are harmful to the body.

5. Stainless steel chopsticks, ceramic chopsticks, silver chopsticks

In recent years, with the popularity of Korean food, Korean stainless steel chopsticks have gradually become popular; ceramic chopsticks with Chinese flavor, and silver chopsticks. These chopsticks look good, but they are a bit heavy to use and do not feel very good, especially for children and the elderly.

Bamboo chopsticks are the first choice, they are non-toxic and harmless, and very environmentally friendly. You can also choose natural wooden chopsticks. On the contrary, do not use chopsticks painted with colored paint, because the heavy metal lead and organic solvent benzene in the paint are carcinogenic and will seriously endanger human health. Plastic chopsticks are brittle in texture and easily deform and melt when heated, producing substances that are harmful to the human body. Bone chopsticks have a good texture, but they are easy to change color and are relatively expensive. Metal chopsticks such as silver and stainless steel are too heavy, feel bad, and have strong thermal conductivity, which can easily burn your mouth when eating overheated food.

When eating, people often use several or even dozens of pairs of chopsticks to pick up food from the same plate. In fact, if chopsticks are used together, they can easily be contaminated with various bacteria. Studies have found that many germs are transmitted through chopsticks. According to tests, a pair of dirty chopsticks may carry tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of bacteria and viruses. Once people use such chopsticks, they are likely to contract related diseases such as hepatitis, dysentery, typhoid fever, acute gastroenteritis, etc. When parents use such chopsticks to feed their children, or when many people at the table use chopsticks to pick up the same dish, these pathogens will be transmitted through the chopsticks and cause cross infection. This should not be underestimated. It is best to use chopsticks for each person at home.

Practice has shown that washed chopsticks are not "clean" either. After a pair of chopsticks has been used for a long time, the surface will no longer be smooth, and frequent scrubbing will easily make the chopsticks rough. Many bacteria and detergents will remain in the tiny grooves on the chopsticks, which provides many opportunities for illness. It is recommended to replace chopsticks at home every six months.

Since chopsticks are used frequently, especially when we wash them we often rub the whole bunch of chopsticks under the faucet, it is very easy for bacteria and viruses to remain on the chopsticks. For this reason, chopsticks must be disinfected regularly. It is best to store them in a ventilated and dry place to prevent mold contamination. The box for chopsticks should also be cleaned and disinfected regularly.