Kitchen hygiene: clean surfaces, safe food
The kitchen is where germs can reach food: boards, knives, sponges, towels and surfaces. This section explains how to keep the kitchen clean and safe during treatment.
01Short answer
02Simple explanation
Surfaces clean.
Separate boards.
Towels and sponges changed often.
Pets off the counter.
03Scientific explanation
Studies: kitchen sponges and towels are among the most bacteria-laden items in the home; drying them and changing them often lowers risk.
ESPEN: enough energy and protein matter for preventing weight and muscle loss in people with cancer, and nutritional status should be assessed regularly.
NCI: practical eating tips exist for treatment side effects such as nausea, taste changes and mouth sores.
04What happens in the body?
Dishes
Hot water and soap or a dishwasher; air-dry.
Fridge and microwave
Wipe spills at once and clean the fridge regularly (“The refrigerator: the right temperature and the right place”).
Dietitian
If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian.
Food safety
Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage.
05Nutrition: four steps
Assess, swap the risky, cook safely, eat regularly.
06Key points at a glance
| Topic | In brief |
|---|---|
 Dishes | Hot water and soap or a dishwasher; air-dry. |
 Fridge and microwave | Wipe spills at once and clean the fridge regularly (“The refrigerator: the right temperature and the right place”). |
 Dietitian | If you are losing weight, have no appetite or need a special diet, ask to see the hospital dietitian. |
| Food safety | Food-safety rules for neutropenia (see “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices”) apply at every stage. |
07Key terms
- Cross-contamination
- Germs passing from one food or surface to another.
- Disinfection
- Killing germs with chemicals or heat.
- Dietitian
- A nutrition specialist.
- Protein
- A nutrient for repairing muscles and tissues.
- Neutropenia
- Low neutrophils.
08Key points
- Wipe surfaces.
- Separate boards.
- Change towels often.
- A diet is not a treatment.
- Talk to a dietitian.
09Frequently asked questions
Do I need bleach?
Ordinary cleaning is usually enough; use disinfectants as directed.
Are wooden boards OK?
Yes, if well washed and dried; replace cracked boards.
Can a special diet cure leukemia?
No. Good nutrition helps you cope with treatment, but it does not cure.
10Questions for your doctor
Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.
Do I need bleach?
Are wooden boards OK?
Can a special diet cure leukemia?
12Sources
- National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
- ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food and Nutrition
- World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Safer Food Choices for People With Weakened Immune Systems
- Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2022. Exercise, Diet, and Weight Management During Cancer Treatment: ASCO Guideline
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2019. Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019. Aerobic physical exercise for adult patients with haematological malignancies
- National Cancer Institute. Physical Activity and Cancer
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products