How to clean food that may have been contaminated by a cockroach?
I have seen a post on how to keep roaches, etc., away, but let's say I did see a cockroach on my kitchen counter, and it did crawl on surfaces and food (let's say, some avocadoes that were out, ripening, as well as some Nespresso capsules). What might be a good way of cleaning food like avocadoes that may have been contaminated by the cockroach, but that we would still like to consume safely, if possible? How about Nespresso capsules?
In both of these cases, we don't actually need to consume the surface (of the avocado, of the capsule ..) touched by the cockroach, but wouldn't like to spray any kind of toxic substance on them nevertheless.
I found, in this healthline article
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cockroaches carry bacteria that, if deposited on food, can cause salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus.
and
According to the World Health organization (WHO), cockroaches have been known to play a role as carriers of intestinal diseases, such as dysentery, diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever.
Best Answer
Fruits and vegetables are obviously natural products that are exposed to the elements, and a variety of insects and other wildlife during growing, harvesting, storing, packaging, and distribution. Whether the roach crawled across your avocado (for example) on your counter, or (potentially) the store room of your local market, matters little. For produce that has an edible exterior, I rinse well. Sometimes (depending on the product) submerge in a few changes of water (fresh greens, for example), and spin dry. For products with an exterior that doesn't get eaten, a quick rinse and wipe is probably all that is necessary.
Pictures about "How to clean food that may have been contaminated by a cockroach?"
What happens if a roach crawled on your food?
Roaches carry a host of bacteria and diseases because they eat and walk through decaying matter. When they crawl on your food, they can transfer allergens, illnesses, mold spores, decay, and poison. This can make you ill, especially if you're in a vulnerable risk group.How do you disinfect after cockroaches?
Soap and water are a good start, but you can also use baking soda to help get rid of the roach smell. Another option is to use a disinfectant cleaner to wipe down surfaces. Make sure you clean floors, appliances, counter tops, cabinets, and anywhere else you have seen signs of roaches.Can you get sick from roaches on your food?
Cockroaches can contaminate food with their waste and saliva which contains bacteria that can cause food poisoning, diarrhea, and Staphylococcus infections.What diseases can you get from eating a cockroach?
Cockroaches can transmit the following diseases:- Salmonellosis.
- Typhoid Fever.
- Cholera.
- Dysentery.
- Leprosy.
- Plague.
- Campylobacteriosis.
- Listeriosis.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Electronics (4 Easy Steps)
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Pixabay, Any Lane, Wendy van Zyl, Karolina Grabowska