North Dakota State University

Wash Your Hands

Wash Your Hands!

The spread of E. coli and other bacteria can be prevented by proper hand washing. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that one-third of the outbreaks of food borne illness caused by the deadly E. coli 0157:H7 could have been prevented by proper hand washing.

In a study of New Jersey cases of E. coli infection, the outbreak was not traceable to one particular source. The food preparers in the households where the E. coli infections were confirmed were more likely to say they did not wash their hands with soap and water after handling raw ground beef, despite new warnings on raw labels.

The labels were required following the famous Jack-in-the-Box outbreak in the Northwest.

Cooks in the affected households also were more likely to say they put cooked hamburger back onto an unwashed plate that held raw patties prior to cooking. Thus, bacteria in the raw meat juices "crossed" over to cooked meats.

Cross-contamination also occurs when unwashed hands that handled raw meat are used to handle hamburger buns, tear lettuce for salad, or touch any other food.

Proper hand washing is important in reducing illnesses. In fact, it’s just plain basic. It’s considered the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection. It’s also something we should have learned by the time we got out of kindergarten.

Hand washing, however, is becoming a lost behavior. In one study, only 34 percent washed hands after handling raw meat or poultry. In another study, an average of 50 percent washed hands after using the restroom.

Childcare facilities and elementary schools that were studied throughout the United States had no policies for hand washing before eating or after playing outside.

To wash hands properly you should wash your hand with warm water and soap from a liquid dispenser, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Dry with paper towels or hot air dryer if in a public facility.

Wash hands after using the restroom, changing diapers, handling pets, handling raw meats or poultry, cracking eggs, picking up utensils that have fallen on the floor, handling trash, or any other times hands become soiled or come into contact with unclean items.

Return to Williams County Nutrition & Food Safety Page