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GUELPH, Ontario, Jul 04, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, have discovered many TV chefs have questionable hygiene.
The London Telegraph reported Sunday the researchers watched 60 hours of food programs from Britain, the United States and Canada and found for every example of correct food handling, there were 13 food hygiene errors, or about seven per 30-minute show.
TV chefs failing to wash hands was observed in 75 percent of the programs viewed, while 72 percent failed to separate raw and fresh foods.
Other hygiene mistakes observed that could lead to gastroenteritis included: wiping chopping boards with raw meat wrappers, tasting food with a spoon then using it to add ingredients, and hanging dough to dry on germ-laden kitchen taps.
"You cannot turn a home into a sterile environment. My childhood was spent eating food that had my mother's hair in it, and my children do the same," said British celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, whose programs are shown on cable's Style. "I have a hardy immune system. Perhaps that is thanks to the germs."
Copyright 2004 by United Press International.
