Test reveals how much bacteria comes from double-dipping
As fans get ready for the big game, that also means prepping for food and snacks to go along with it.
One of the iconic snacks for game day is chips and dip, but did you know that can actually spread thousands of germs?
A test on the show “The Doctors” revealed double-dipping can lead to thousands of bacteria. The dip with the most germs was salsa. When it was mixed with cheese, it tested positive for two types of staph and MRSA infection. Chocolate dip with another dip also tested positive for staph.
“It’s the bacteria we have in our mouth. If you think about it, our mouth has a lot of different germs. The main ones we worry about staph and strep,” said Doctor John Torres, KRDO medical expert.
Flipping the chip before dipping showed no bacteria, but that’s only if your hands are clean.
“Most of these sauces are at room temperature, so it’s a great breathing ground for bacteria and viruses. Mainly because they really want to hold on for hours in that area and if you double-dip, it can stay alive for a while. Somebody else comes by with their chip and gets the bacteria then puts it in their mouth,” said Torres.
Overall, the tests found that salsa was five times more susceptible to bacteria than chocolate or cheese.
Certain types of bacteria can lead to food poisoning and sickness.
“The dip itself if it wasn’t made correctly or if it’s been left out too long, then it can lead to sickness like salmonella. Depending on how well you washed your hands, germs expand,” said Torres.
Torres said the best advice to prevent bacteria from spreading is to not double-dip, use spoons and scooping utensils and always wash your hands before you eat.
