By HANNAH BEACH
Why You Need To Clean Your Spice Jars ASAP
Among all kitchen tools, spice jars are the most concerning, with an average contamination rate of 48%. However, the surface of greatest concern is on the outside, not the inside.
Per a 2022 Journal of Food Protection study, 48% of spice jars sampled in a test showed traces of MS2 contamination. Though harmless to humans, MS2 infects bacteria with viruses.
MS2's presence can indicate that a spice jar is contaminated with other bacteria like salmonella or E. coli. Such contamination occurs when we handle spice jars alongside raw meat.
Contaminated spice jars can spread bacteria to anything they touch. To avoid contaminating spice jars, wash your hands immediately after handling raw meat, veggies, or other foods.
However, even if your hands are clean, bacteria could transfer to your spice jars from your counter, your cutting board, or any other surface that comes in contact with raw food.
Thus, you should also disinfect surfaces that could be tainted — like counters, utensils, spice jars, and spice cabinets — with ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide.