Do You Cook Safely? Quiz

Now that cooler weather is here, and the weather isn’t quite so oven-like, cooking and baking become a pleasure once again. But since many of us are spending more time in the kitchen, it becomes even more important to know how safely we do our cooking.

How safely do you cook? Take this thought-provoking quiz to find out if you’re keeping yourself and your family as safe as possible, here:

Answer these questions either true or false.

1. I use a gas stove.

2. My stove does not have a vent, hood, or exhaust fan.

3. I sometimes heat cooking oils to the point where they smoke.

4. I often place hot leftovers in plastic containers.

5. I frequently leave leftovers out for longer than 2 hours before refrigerating them.

6. I cut meat on a cutting board.

7. I spray pesticides in the kitchen to get rid of ants, roaches, or other pests.

8. I have pesticide-based ant or roach traps, rodent poison, or flypaper in my kitchen.

9. I use bleached-paper coffee filters.

10. I have chlorine in my water.

11. I and my family members often stand near the microwave, dishwasher, or refrigerator.

12. I use my microwave to cook a lot of our meals.

13. I often use plastic containers to cook food in my microwave.

Any “true” answers could indicate some problems in the kitchen.

1 and 2: gas stoves often contribute to poor air quality; using an exhaust fan may be helpful.

3. Know the smoke point of your cooking oils. If oil gets hot enough to smoke, it is forming harmful compounds. Go to this article on the Spectrum Naturals site that explains which are the right oils for cooking.

4. Food is best saved in glass or ceramic containers, since there is evidence that chemicals from plastics leach into food.

5. Leftovers are best refrigerated immediately to avoid the proliferation of bacteria that can cause food-borne illness.

6. Annie recommends using a plate for cutting meat that can be placed in the dishwasher after every use to prevent food-borne illness.

7 and 8: Pesticides need to stay out of the kitchen. See these great ideas for all-natural ways to rid your home of pests:

Repel Flies Naturally

Custom Make Your Own Insect Repellent

Scatter Mice Far and Wide Naturally

9. The chlorine used to bleach paper coffee filters is harmful to the body. Unbleached filters work just as well and are much safer.

10. Chlorine in cooking water can cause compounds to form that are harmful to our health.

11. EMFs from kitchen appliances (most notably the microwave) are linked to a growing number of health concerns.

12. Microwaves often heat food unevenly, which means that they may insuffiently kill the bacteria that cause food-borne illness. Although this is controversial, some researchers (see Gabriel Cousens, M.D.’s Spiritual Nutrition) also suggest that the cellular changes microwaving causes in food may not be beneficial for our health.

13. Chemicals from some plastics leach into microwaved or other heated foods. (For more information go to thegreenguide.com.) If you are going to microwave food, it is best to use microwave-safe glass or ceramic containers.

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Paula L.

12:17PM PST on Jan 9, 2012

Thanks, good article! I have more than my share of corning type containers with lids, cook in them, lid the leftovers and store in fridge immediately after the meal is over. They also go straight into the microwave to reheat any left overs later. Great and safe type of cook and storage ware.

send a green star

Jennifer C.

4:20PM PST on Jan 8, 2012

Thanks for this great article.

Casey B.

12:25PM PST on Jan 8, 2012

I only had 2 true. :)

naomi c.

7:36PM PST on Jan 7, 2012

thank you. i guess i'm okay according to the info. great article.

Danuta W.

1:49AM PST on Jan 7, 2012

Thanks for the article

caterina c.

5:58AM PDT on Aug 11, 2011

10:05PM PDT on Aug 2, 2011

Do I cook safely?

No I don't.

I get involved with Care2 and I forget all about food.

The smoke alarm goes off and that's my call to dinner.

I think I'll start using a timer.

lol

Pat V.

5:12PM PDT on Aug 1, 2011

I feel I am pretty safe in the kitchen,in 40years of marriage and childern,we have never been ill from my cooking.But a few times eating on holiday.Ty for keeping me on track.

SuS NoMail Plez P.

8:46PM PDT on Apr 23, 2011

TY for educating through this article for those unaware! 44 years ago I chose to become a vegetarian. My body was ill on a daily basis. Even thought it was "cool" at that time, that was not my intention. I have eaten 80% RAW and Vegan for at least 25 years now. So the quiz made me anxious! Just kidding of course. TY again!

Robert O.

12:28PM PDT on Mar 21, 2011

All in all I'm pretty safe. I think it also helps that I don't have a gas stove, I do use glass containers, I'm a neat freak and I don't cook every single day either. Thanks.