Author: Primrose Freestone, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology, University of Leicester

Mike shots/Shutterstock.com That kitchen sponge sitting by your sink is not as innocent as it looks. It could be harbouring Salmonella enteritidis, E coli or Staphylococcus aureus – and there’s no way to tell just by looking at it or smelling it. New research from Germany grew bacteria from sponges in the lab, analysed their […]

Overripe fruit and veg can harbour harmful bacteria. Krakenimages.com/ Shutterstock Whether it’s trimming off a piece of mushy parsnip or cutting away a slightly mouldy bit of apple, many of us have used produce long after their peak of freshness. While fruits and veggies are important for our health, they’re also highly susceptible to bacteria, […]

Cold pizza, a favourite for many, could be risky if it hasn't been stored properly. Monkey Business Images/ Shutterstock There are few things better than a cold slice of pizza for breakfast. But as delicious as scarfing down cold pizza is, there’s also a risk of food poisoning if you aren’t careful. Food poisoning is […]

Lysenko Andrii/Shutterstock Food poisoning affects millions of people in the UK every year, and the risk rises during the Christmas period. Large family meals, raw poultry, packed fridges and buffet food all increase the chances of contamination. In the UK, the most common bacterial causes of food poisoning are campylobacter and salmonella, both of which […]

Air conditioning can feel heaven-sent on hot summer days. It keeps temperatures comfortable and controls humidity, making indoor environments tolerable even on the most brutally warm days. But some people avoid using air conditioning (AC) no matter how hot it gets outside, out of fear that it will make them sick. While this may sound […]

Your feet are microbial hotspots. The area between your toes is packed with sweat glands, and when we wrap our feet in socks and shoes, we trap that moisture in a warm, humid cocoon that’s ideal for microbial growth. In fact, your feet may be home to a miniature rainforest of bacteria and fungi, with […]