The kitchen, the heart of the home, is not only a space for cooking, but also the epitome of family affection and the warmth of everyday life. But we have to think about safety first! Today I want to talk about the dangers of being overlooked by many people. This thing, it is recommended to throw it away immediately, there is a "high carcinogenic" risk, and many families are still using it!
We're talking about moldy chopsticks, cutting boards......
First, why do moldy chopsticks and cutting boards have to be thrown away?
1. Mycotoxins: Moldy chopsticks and cutting boards can have a variety of molds growing on them, the most worrisome of which is Aspergillus flavus, which produces aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are a strong natural carcinogen that has been linked to serious health problems such as liver cancer. Even though not all molds produce aflatoxins, it can be difficult to tell with the naked eye which molds are present, so the safest thing to do is to throw away moldy items.
2. Difficulty of cleaning: Once mold has formed on chopsticks and cutting boards, mold may have penetrated deep into the tiny pores of the material, and it is difficult to completely remove these molds and their toxins with ordinary cleaning and disinfection methods. Even if the surface appears clean, hidden mold can continue to multiply and contaminate the food that comes into contact next.
3. Risk of cross-contamination: Using moldy chopsticks and cutting boards to prepare food increases the risk of cross-contamination, where mold and toxins can enter the body through food, causing food poisoning, allergic reactions, or other health problems.
4. Precautions: In order to protect the health of your family, it is necessary to replace moldy kitchen utensils in a timely manner. Switching to materials that are easier to clean and maintain, such as stainless steel chopsticks or cutting boards that do not absorb much water such as plastic or fiberglass, as well as keeping kitchen items dry and ventilated, can effectively reduce the chance of mold growth.
Second, is it feasible to remove aflatoxins?
Removal of aflatoxins is feasible to some extent.
Some say washed. This is only suitable for surface contamination, where a portion of the aflatoxin can be removed by repeatedly scrubbing contaminated food with clean water. However, for foods such as corn, washing is limited because the toxins are stored in the germ.
Is high-temperature heating feasible? High temperatures can destroy some of the aflatoxins. For example, the amount of toxins in food can be reduced to a certain extent. Especially for rice, etc., using a pressure cooker to steam can remove toxins more effectively.
The above methods can remove aflatoxins to some extent, but the most fundamental precautions are to avoid mildew in food and kitchen utensils, including keeping food dry, storing it properly, regularly inspecting and replacing old or damaged kitchen utensils, and keeping the kitchen environment clean and dry.
3. What foods are prone to aflatoxin?
1. Cereals and their products: such as corn, rice, wheat, soybeans, peanuts, etc. In the field, harvesting and storage process, these foods are easily contaminated by Aspergillus flavus and produce toxins if they encounter high temperature and humidity conditions.
2. Nuts: especially peanuts, walnuts, almonds, etc., bitter nuts are a clear indication of the presence of aflatoxin.
3. Tahini and peanut butter: Sauces made from low-quality or spoiled sesame seeds and peanuts may contain aflatoxins because these raw materials are contaminated before processing.
4. Condiments: such as chili powder, Sichuan pepper, soy sauce, etc., may also breed aflatoxins if stored or processed under unsuitable conditions.
5. Spoiled steamed rice: Even if the rice is cooked, it can still produce aflatoxins after spoilage, especially if it is stored in a humid environment.
6. Soy products: such as tofu, tempeh, soybean paste, etc., also pose a risk of aflatoxin if not properly controlled during fermentation or preservation.
7. Oil crops: such as peanut oil, rapeseed oil, etc., if the raw materials are contaminated, the toxins may be concentrated during the oil extraction process.
8. Potatoes and other tuber vegetables: Tuber vegetables such as potatoes can also produce aflatoxins under poor storage conditions.
9. Fermented foods: Home-made fermented foods, such as soybean paste, tofu, etc., are more likely to mildew due to the processing environment and conditions.
10. Dried and fresh fruits: If the humidity and temperature are not properly controlled during storage, mildew may also occur.
After understanding these high-risk foods, we should pay attention to the drying, ventilation and preservation of food, and timely disposal of moldy foods to reduce the risk of aflatoxin intake.
What can be done to avoid the appearance of aflatoxins?
1. Keep it dry: Keep the food storage environment dry, especially for grains, nuts and seeds that are susceptible to moisture, and store them in a low-temperature, dry, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight. Ideally, the moisture content of cereals should be controlled below 12.5% and the moisture content of peanut kernels should be below 8%.
2. Prevent mildew: Regularly inspect food for signs of mildew. In particular, high-risk foods such as peanuts, corn, and rice need to be carefully inspected.
3. Reasonable packaging: Try to use packaging materials with good air permeability to store food, and avoid using plastic bags, because plastic bags may cause a local high humidity environment, which is conducive to mold growth.
4. Control temperature: Low temperatures can inhibit mold growth, so it can, especially perishable foods such as meat and dairy products.
5. Rotate stocks: Avoid hoarding food for a long time, especially oils, and should not be stored for a long time.
6. Personal hygiene: Keep the kitchen and utensils clean and hygienic.
7. Cooking methods: Some foods can be reduced by cooking methods, but these methods cannot completely eliminate toxins and can only be used as an adjunct.
Well, today's article will be shared here, if it is helpful to you, welcome to like, forward, follow, if you have different opinions, please leave a message in the comment area, Xiao Jane and you will discuss together! Life is a barren and lonely journey, you know yourself warm, you are bitter and happy, take care of yourself......
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