Food Network Shows May Be Teaching Unsanitary Habits

LUBBOCK, Texas ─ Some Food Network stars may inadvertently be teaching the wrong lessons during their popular shows, a new Texas Tech University study on food safety measures found.

Last year, researchers sat down to analyze food-safety practices used on the Food Networks’ shows, including 30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray, The Essence of Emeril, Everyday Italian, Paula’s Home Cooking and Semi Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee.

Results showed 118 positive food-safety measures and 460 poor food handling incidents. Among the most noticeable bad behaviors were not washing fruits, vegetables and herbs properly, as well as a lack of hand washing in general.

Researchers analyzed 49 shows airing over a two-week period and used 17 different coded categories: six positive and 11 negative. Positive categories included hand washing, cleaning equipment, washing fruits and vegetables, adequate refrigeration, use of a thermometer or other positives.

Negative behaviors include food from unsafe sources, failure to use a thermometer, use of food from the floor, failure to refrigerate perishables, failure to wash fruits or vegetables, inadequately washing equipment, sampling food or licking fingers, cross-contamination of ready-to-eat or raw foods, touching the face and failing to wash hands.

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