Kitchen Sponges: Can They Look Clean but Harbor Pathogens? Michael van den Heuvel Medscape Europe logo July 14, 2026 J Food Prot. 2026;89(6):100794. doi:10.1016/j.jfp.2026.100794

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/kitchen-sponges-can-they-look-clean-harbor-pathogens-2026a1000nr7?ecd=WNL_trdalrt_pos1_ous_260717_etid8513457&uac=148436CN&impID=8513457 Kitchen sponges are among the most commonly used cleaning tools in homes, yet they may also be one of the underestimated sources of foodborne pathogens. Researchers at the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) found that Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, and Staphylococcus aureus can multiply rapidly in kitchen sponges, even when only small numbers of bacteria are initially present. Importantly, unpleasant odors, discoloration, and a slimy surface did not reliably indicate microbial contamination.