Is it possible to eat food that has fallen to the ground: a nutritionist gave a clear answer

Food that has fallen to the ground can be contaminated with various types of microorganisms. While some are harmless, others have infectious potential.

"If the product will not be subjected to high-temperature cooking, it is better to refuse it. However, this does not apply to fruits with peel, because in this situation they simply need to be well peeled," says Spanish nutritionist Saul Sanchez Arias.

OBOZREVATEL, together with mejorconsalud.com, offers to read more information about the necessary actions and the importance of food hygiene.

Microorganisms are present in the soil

It is a common habit to rinse, wipe, or blow on food that has been on the ground. However, this puts your health at risk.

The soil is home to millions of living microorganisms. Some of them are pathogenic to humans, while others are harmless. However, if the food has been on the ground, it creates an ideal environment for their reproduction on the surface. If you eat the product, many harmful elements enter the body that can cause infections.

Washing with water is not enough

Before consuming food that has fallen to the ground, it is most often washed with water. However, clean water is not able to destroy possible pathogens that have colonized its surface. Therefore, cleaning in this way is not an effective solution to reduce the danger of existing bacteria. Indeed, water can slightly reduce yeast and fungal populations, but other microorganisms will remain in place.

The best thing to do is to refuse such food

It is advisable to throw away food that has been on the ground, especially if you do not know the degree of its purity. But this is not the same as a product that falls on the floor of the house, because in this case, you can at least relatively guarantee hygiene, compared to the street.

The importance of food hygiene

Maintaining good food hygiene is crucial for preventing disease. Otherwise, you will be exposed to contaminants that can cause gastrointestinal problems or more serious pathologies.

Good preservation and packaging practices are important to limit bacterial growth. It is also recommended not to mix raw with cooked and to use clean utensils for handling different foods.