10 INCONSPICUOUS GERMS THAT ARE HIDING IN YOUR RESTAURANT TABLE/SEATS GLASSES KETCHUP BOTTLES SOAP DISPENSERS LEMON SLICES THE BUFFET BATHROOM DOOR HANDLES MENUS SALT & PEPPER SHAKERS BATHROOM FAUCET A 2005 study found that 18 percent of people do not wash their hands after using the bathroom, leaving behind germs on door handles. 1 A 2007 study published in The Journal of Environmental Health found that 69.7 percent of lemon slices carried various microorganisms such as E. Coli — the bacteria that can cause severe food poisoning — and other fecal bacteria. 3 Buffets are the perfect breeding ground for germ transmission, particularly if food is kept warm, the perfect temperature for bacteria — including E. Coli, salmonella and norovirus — to grow. 3 The rims of glasses used on restaurants are a common site for germs often because waiters carry them with their fingers inside the glasses. 3 Hands contaminated with fecal bacteria will then contaminate soap dispensers. 3 Another essential restaurant item, ketchup bottles are often refilled but are rarely cleaned with an antibiotic spray. 2 Restaurant tables and seats are a hotbed for germs and bacteria. Seats in particular are often not sanitized after use. Rather, they are wiped with rags that spread germs and bacteria — including those from hands and diapers. 3 A staple in every restaurant, salt and pepper shakers are used often but rarely cleaned. 2 Bacteria found on menus can cause staph infections, strep throat and other infections. 2 Bathroom faucets, which are constantly touched by unclean hands, are rarely cleaned. 2 Sources: 1. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2012/06/12/10-worst-germ-hot-spots/ 2. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/10-germiest-places-restaurant-hint-bathroom/story?id=17728078 3. http://photo--news.com/2013/10/08/the-germiest-places-in-restaurants/ ©2013 Georgia-Pacific Professional. All rights reserved. www.gppro.com Brought to you by: