Use wooden chopsticks, wooden cutting boards with this food, pay attention to wash thoroughly to avoid Aflatoxin carcinogens
Use wooden chopsticks, wooden cutting board If mold is present, many people fear the risk of being contaminated with carcinogens as well as many other dangerous diseases. In fact, using these two wooden furniture with different foods has different ability to form mold, in case it has not been washed thoroughly. So, when using wooden chopsticks and cutting boards with what foods should you wash them thoroughly to avoid cancer germs?
Let’s talk with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh (former lecturer at Institute of Food and Biotechnology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology) about this topic below!
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh.
Reporter: Dear experts, as we mentioned the other day, whether wooden chopsticks or wooden cutting boards have mold that causes liver cancer or any other type of cancer, you need to consider what kind of mold it is. If it is mold from starches such as rice, corn, and wheat, it is likely to be contaminated with carcinogens. Aflatoxin – cause liver cancer?
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh: In general, all molds are toxic, although it is unlikely that they contain the carcinogen Aflatoxin – the leading cause of liver cancer. Particularly, mold forms on starches such as rice, corn, wheat… have a very high carcinogenic potential. Now, we let wooden chopsticks, wooden cutting boards come into contact with molds that grow on these foods, and then accidentally eat them, the risk of cancer is completely possible.
Reporter: Wooden chopsticks, wooden chopping boards are utensils and tools in the kitchen, contact with food is natural. There is a real case like this, when we put wooden chopsticks in a mixture of peanuts and cooking oil, rinse with tap water, and leave at room temperature. After 4 days, people noticed on the chopsticks some tiny white mold spots appeared. What are the causes of mold appearing in this case, sir?
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh: The principle of operation of mold is that there must be nutrients for it to grow. Wooden chopsticks, wooden cutting boards after being used to pick up food, chop food… if not thoroughly washed and dried like the above case, it’s natural that it’s moldy. At this time, the outside of the wooden chopsticks, the wooden cutting board still has nutrients from the leftover food attached. This is the main source of mold.
Not to mention, mold is abundant in living space, so this is also a cause for them to multiply. When the surface of wooden chopsticks, wooden cutting board has nutrients left on the food because it has not been washed thoroughly, leaving it outside in the living environment, it is difficult to avoid it. None of the above cases, just not washing thoroughly after contact with food will definitely create conditions for mold growth.
Reporter: From the above example, in your opinion, when using wooden chopsticks and cutting boards, what foods should be washed thoroughly to avoid aflatoxin contamination?
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh: In my opinion, using wooden chopsticks, wooden cutting board with any kind of food and drink needs to be washed thoroughly. Not only to prevent the risk of cancer, but also the risk of toxic chemicals from dishwashing liquid.
Even so, everyone should remember the principle that talks about mold growth: Molds thrive on higher nutrient media and conversely, they grow less on lower nutrient media.
For example, it is the same way of washing a wooden cutting board, but comparing vegetables on a wooden cutting board with cutting meat and fish on a wooden cutting board, foods like meat and fish will produce more mold and faster. In short, The more nutritious the food, the more protein, the fat… the more attention should be paid to washing and drying.
Reporter: In your opinion, in addition to thoroughly washing wooden chopsticks and cutting boards after using the above foods to avoid aflatoxin contamination, in what cases do we also need to wash them thoroughly? Why?
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh: People should thoroughly wash wooden chopsticks and cutting boards after using them to pick, slice, etc. any food. Especially the fish meat. Because, in addition to the rapid production of mold, if the surface is not thoroughly washed, they also have an unpleasant stench. The reason is due to the breakdown of nutrients in it.
Reporter: When thoroughly washing wooden chopsticks and cutting boards, how should we wash them to ensure that they are not attacked by mold?
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh: This is also simple, nothing too complicated! We need to flush with water, use a rag with metal fibers or an emery board, put detergent in it, and then clean the surface of wooden chopsticks and wooden cutting boards. Then, you need to leave it in a cool place to drain and dry completely. Or more carefully, they can be dried, dried as soon as they are washed and then put in their place in the kitchen. Wooden cutting boards, wooden chopsticks, furniture in general must be dry to prevent mold.
In short, There are 2 important rules to prevent wooden chopsticks and wooden cutting boards from getting moldy. One is foods that don’t stick to the surface. Second, do not let the surface get wet. Thus, you will not have to worry about mold growth and disease for your family.
Reporter: In addition, people should use wooden chopsticks, wooden cutting boards that meet the criteria to avoid the case that food is easy to stick to, causing mold?
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh: With wooden chopsticks, it is best to choose those made from bamboo, old bamboo; With wooden cutting boards, you should choose perennial wood. All should have a smooth, lint-free surface. Currently, in the market, there are many types of painted wooden chopsticks, all made from good materials, painted to prevent moisture absorption and improve shelf life. If there is moisture, it is only outside, the risk of mold from the outside, so it can be washed, dried and used normally.
In contrast, disposable chopsticks are made from young bamboo. Should only be used once and then discarded. Because of these types of wood, mold has the ability to penetrate inside. Absolutely not recommended for daily use in families.
Reporter: Thank you for taking the time to share!
at Blogtuan.info – Source: Afamily.vn – Read the original article here
