Is there a risk of food poisoning if you wash and eat?…4 surprising foods that shouldn't be washed

What do you always do before cooking? It's 바로 washing and preparing the ingredients.

However, there are stories that washing ingredients can actually be harmful to health.

Have you ever heard of it?

There are four ingredients that become toxic when washed here.

Please check.

 

✅Egg

The outermost layer of an egg is a thin coating called the cuticle, which protects the egg from external bacteria. Washing the egg under running water can damage this protective layer, allowing bacteria and contaminants to be absorbed inside, so caution is necessary.

If the cuticle layer is damaged, the freshness of the yolk and white decreases and they become more prone to spoilage. The problem becomes more serious when stored for a long period, as the moisture increases the risk of bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli multiplying. Cross-contamination with other foods in the refrigerator can also occur.

 

 

✅Mushroom

Mushrooms are not only versatile ingredients for various dishes due to their low calories, fragrant aroma, and chewy texture, but they are also excellent for consumption on their own. Moreover, they are a health food that provides a balanced supply of essential nutrients such as △lysine, △glutamic acid, △linoleic acid, △ergosterol, △vitamin B complex, and △niacin.
 
In particular, the anticancer component called 'beta-glucan' is found in all mushrooms and is well known for its ability to boost immunity, as well as its anticancer and antioxidant effects. However, washing mushrooms with water can cause this component to dissolve easily, leading to a loss of nutrients. Additionally, since most mushrooms are composed of 80-90% water and have an excellent ability to absorb moisture, washing them with water can cause their firmness to decrease.
 
So, how should you remove impurities like soil from the surface of mushrooms? It is best to use a damp cloth soaked in water and gently wipe only the areas with dirt, as if brushing off the impurities. Nutritionist Kyeongju-hyun added, "If it doesn't seem to be thoroughly cleaned, I recommend lightly shaking the mushrooms in lukewarm water with salt dissolved, then rinsing with clean water."

 

✅Chicken

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends not washing raw chicken under running water in the sink, as cooking is a safer way to eliminate bacteria. Washing raw chicken with running water in the sink can cause Campylobacter bacteria to splash onto other foods, leading to cross-contamination.
 
Campylobacter bacteria are bacteria that cause food poisoning and other illnesses. Once infected, symptoms begin with initial signs such as headache, fever, and muscle aches, and over time, severe abdominal pain and diarrhea develop. Occasionally, symptoms like nausea and vomiting occur, and in some cases, more than 10 episodes of diarrhea per day can lead to Campylobacter infection, with patients sometimes experiencing bloody stools.
 
Instead of washing chicken with water, heating it at a temperature above 70°C for about 1 minute will kill bacteria. However, if you want to wipe the chicken before cooking, it is better to use paper towels or similar materials. If you must wash it with water, soak the chicken in a large basin filled with water to clean it, then discard the water and also wipe the basin and sink with soap.

 

 

✅Pasta noodles

The surface of the pasta noodles is coated with starch components that help the sauce adhere well. However, if you wash the noodles with water before cooking, the starch is removed, making it difficult for the pasta and sauce to mix well even after boiling, which hampers the full enjoyment of the pasta's flavor and aroma.

 

Source: HiDoc