B
B
a
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r
r
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a
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,
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V
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r
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M
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.
.
Microorganisms like bacteria and viruses are ubiquitous. This is a fact of life. Some microorganisms
are harmless, while others are useful and others are pathogenic/ harmful. To totally get rid of all
pathogenic microorganisms one would have to sterilise in an autoclave at 30psi, @ 134
o
C for 3
minutes. This would be highly detrimental to most everyday items, including the DishDrawer.
There has been concern with bacteria and viruses invading the kitchen situations. Unfortunately
bringing food home from the supermarket can introduce the unwanted microorganisms eg Salmonella
or Campylobacter on chicken or meat. Hepatitis A and some other viral diseases may be transmitted
through foods. The virus is passed from the intestines of infected persons onto the hands of food
handlers or into sewage. Any food subject to faecal contamination may cause hepatitis A or other
food borne viral illnesses. Failure for a food handler to wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet
and not adequately cooking shellfish and other foods, which have been exposed to sewage-
contaminated water can lead to the transmission of viral diseases through food.
The best prevention of food poisoning and such like is
safe food hygiene practices and good
personal hygiene.
This is your best safeguard!
Dishwashers help remove food poisoning organisms due to the
Ø
High wash and rinse temperatures used (temperatures above 65C/149F will kill most food
poisoning organisms),
Ø
Long wash times
Ø
Alkaline detergent. Alkalinity is a limiting factor in the growth of microbes. pH of 9-12 for
enzymic detergents and pH 12-13 for chlorine based detergents.
Ø
If the detergent contains chlorine bleach. This will kill microbes.
These are important parameters in removing harmful pathogens. If the household has poor personal
hygiene and bad food handling practices, no dishwasher will save them from the pathogenic microbes.
It is important to remember that as soon as you remove the dishes out of the DishDrawer you are
reintroducing microorganisms back onto the dishware by touching them with your hands. It is
therefore important when removing dinnerware, to ensure you have clean dry hands to prevent the
introduction of even more unnecessary microorganisms.
Inertness of DishDrawer Materials vs Stainless Steel
Plastic/Polypropylene vs Stainless steel, both materials will not support microbial growth.
Stainless steel is no different from polypropylene; it might be worse particularly where there are
weld and crevices in the product where food soils remain.
All dishwashers would suffer from odour, if they were left with food particles in there and left for
a very long time in a warm environment.
If you are not using the DishDrawer for some time, it is important to
Ø
Ensure all the baskets are empty
Ø
Ensure the dishwasher is left clean inside. (Clean the drain filter and ensure there are no food
particles left on the filter plate)
Ø
Leave the drawer(s) ajar.
