Why is this step important?

Bacteria can be found throughout the kitchen and get onto hands, cutting boards, utensils, counter tops and food. Unless you wash your hands, equipment and surfaces often you could spread bacteria to your food and your family.

To fight the spread of bacteria you should:

• Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers and handling pets.

• ­Wash your cutting boards, dishes, utensils and counter tops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before you go on to the next food.

• ­Consider using paper towels to clean up kitchen surfaces. If you use cloth towels wash them often in the hot cycle of your washing machine.

• ­Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water, including those with skins and rinds that are not eaten.

• ­Rub firm-skin fruits and vegetables under running tap water or scrub with a clean vegetable brush while rinsing with running tap water.

What about meat, poultry or eggs?

Meat, poultry and eggs should not be washed. Washing them may actually help spread bacteria because their juices can splash onto your counter top, sink and you!