Before we get defensive about our spices, let’s talk about what “germy” really means in the kitchen. When experts talk about germs in the kitchen, they’re usually referring to a higher-than-normal number of bacteria. This does not always mean a type of bacteria that’s harmful. Most of the bacteria that live in kitchens come from everyday microscopic organisms that live on our skin and in the air we breathe. As long as the bacteria don’t transfer to food that won’t be heated again, then the likelihood of getting sick from the bacteria in your kitchen is low.
Whether bacteria are a risk to you has nothing to do with the bacteria themselves. It has everything to do with the path that bacteria follow through your kitchen.
WHY SPICE JARS ARE SO GROSS
Spice jars get their gross reputation because they are used daily while cooking. While cooking, you may be reaching for garlic powder, paprika, and other spices. You may be using raw chicken, onion, garlic, etc., and are touching the raw ingredient before reaching for a spice. Even the most organized cook touches their raw ingredients multiple times before adding seasonings. When you touch your raw ingredients, you are transferring bacteria from your hands to the top of the spice jar. Sometimes, bacteria can also transfer to the inside of the jar itself.
Another huge factor is moisture. When you are shaking spices right above a steaming pot, you are exposing the spice container to both the heat and the moisture (condensation) from the steam. This is a recipe for disaster for bacteria. When the conditions of heat and moisture occur together, it creates an environment for bacteria to grow on the surface of the spice jar.
Cleaning habits are also a contributing factor. People wash their countertops and cutting boards regularly, but hardly ever wash the spice containers. Why? Because they appear clean. Studies on the dirtiness of spice containers have shown that they often contain bacteria found on human skin like Staphylococcus and Bacillus. The fear here is not that the bacteria from the spice containers are going to make you sick from eating the spices. Instead, they can cause cross-contamination in your kitchen when they are transferred to other foods.
HOW DO SPICE JARS STACK UP AGAINST OTHER “GERMY” ITEMS IN THE KITCHEN?
Sponges still win for the highest concentration of bacteria in the kitchen. Sink drains, refrigerator handles, and cutting boards are among the items that can harbor a lot of bacteria too. But the key difference is how well you maintain these items. Sponges get replaced, sanitized, or both, cutting boards get washed regularly, and the sink area gets cleaned fairly often.
Spice containers fall somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. They get used a lot, but they rarely get cleaned. That is why they rank so high on the lists of “the germiest” items in the kitchen. Compared to the overall cleanliness of the rest of the kitchen, spice containers aren’t the worst offenders. However, they are one of the most commonly overlooked, which leaves them free to quietly accumulate bacteria over time.
IS THE BACTERIA ON YOUR SPICE JARS GOING TO MAKE YOU SICK?
In the vast majority of healthy adults, the bacteria on their spice jars are unlikely to make them sick. Typically, people only get sick from bacteria when they transfer the bacteria from the spice jar to ready-to-eat foods (salads, bread, cooked meals that won’t be reheated). Also, people may get sick when raw meat is involved, or when there is someone in the household who is immunocompromised. So, when asked whether spice jars can make you sick, the most honest response is that they may contribute to cross-contamination in the kitchen, but they are not a direct threat to health. This is more about reducing risk, and less about removing all bacteria.
HOW TO SAFELY CLEAN AND USE SPICE CONTAINERS
Improving your spice jar hygiene doesn’t require much effort. Wiping down your spice jars once per week with either a disinfecting wipe or a mild vinegar solution will dramatically decrease the bacterial buildup. You should make sure to pay attention to the lids and shaker tops of the spice containers.
One simple habit adjustment can further minimize bacteria accumulation: stop shaking spices directly over hot, steaming food. Instead, shake spices into a spoon or your hand first. Washing your hands before seasoning, especially after handling raw ingredients, is another good habit that reduces the transfer of bacteria. If you have spice containers with bumpy or hard to clean surfaces, you might consider pouring the contents of the spice jar into smooth, easy to clean containers. These are a couple of easy ways to limit bacteria accumulation and prevent cross-contamination in your kitchen, without putting in extra effort.
OTHER COMMONLY OVERLOOKED GERMS HOTSPOTS
Spice jars aren’t the only commonly overlooked germs hotspots in your kitchen. Salt and pepper shakers, oil bottles, the buttons on appliances, and the cabinet handles next to the stove are all commonly touched, but infrequently cleaned. Since they aren’t coming into direct contact with food, they tend to go uncleaned. However, since they are commonly touched areas, they can influence how bacteria spread throughout your kitchen. Adding these to your list of items to wipe down periodically can help increase the overall cleanliness of your kitchen without causing unnecessary stress.
Spice jars are not inherently bad or hazardous. They are simply easily forgotten. A cleaner kitchen is not equal to a germ-free kitchen, nor should it be. With a basic understanding of how bacteria are transferred, and a few slight habit adjustments, you can promote safer food preparation in your home, without increasing your stress levels. Simple changes can add up quickly and your spice rack is a great place to start.
