RKI warns against raclette and fondue for Christmas

Created: 12/27/2021, 05:11 AM

From: Lena Zschirpe

Fondue and raclette are particularly popular at Christmas or New Year's Eve.

However, the Robert Koch Institute warns against this.

Dortmund - Lots of cheese, meat or vegetarian options with fresh vegetables: With raclette and fondue, almost everyone can combine and eat what they like.

In addition, there are now a number of raclette recipes.

The dishes are very popular during the Christmas season or New Year's Eve.

But you should be careful, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) currently warns, as reported by RUHR24 *.

RKI is currently warning of fondue and raclette: the Christmas trend is dangerous

A new study by the RKI has shown that the risk of certain diarrheal diseases is increased by meat fondue or raclette with meat.

Chicken meat in particular is crucial here and represents a potential risk of disease. The reason: raw chicken meat is often contaminated with so-called Campylobacter bacteria.

As a rule, the meat for fondue and raclette is not eaten raw at Christmas.

However, in the heat of the holiday battle, the pieces are sometimes touched with bare fingers or with the same fork that is used to eat.

In addition, the meat is often open on the dining table and could come into contact with other foods or beverages.

In short: contact with bacteria cannot always be ruled out.

Even if leftover raclette is simply kept together *, germs can be transmitted.

Fondue and raclette on Christmas or New Year's Eve: a health hazard?

Data from more than 400 people were evaluated for the RKI study.

All of them had a reportable Campylobacter infection.

180 of them fell ill within seven days of the holiday.

This group was in turn compared with a control group of 260 people who had the infection at another time.

Those who fell ill with a Campylobacter infection immediately after the holidays had taken part in a meat fondue or raclette more often than the control group.

The RKI is currently warning against raclette and fondue.

© Patrick Seeger / dpa;

Collage: RUHR24

Hygiene at Christmas: You have to pay attention to this with raclette and fondue

But how to deal with the new study?

The RKI advises consumers to observe basic hygiene rules at Christmas.

Even in the face of the corona pandemic, that can't hurt.

The authority recommends the kitchen hygiene rules set by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).

The most important rules:

• In order to prevent germs from being passed on to other foods, hands should be washed between all work steps.

  With soap and also between the fingers and under the fingernails.

• Cook the meat well, at least 70 ° C for two minutes inside.

  Meat thermometers can be helpful.

• Always adhere to the cold chain and store food in the refrigerator at 2-5 ° C.

• Keep food hot at over 65 ° C or cool down to below 7 ° C within a few hours.

  This way, surviving germs cannot multiply.

• Put or change kitchen towels, rags and sponges every few days at the right temperature in the laundry.

• Using a disinfectant, however, only makes sense on the recommendation of a doctor or the health department.

Raclette and fondue are not only potentially harmful to health, but also create a fresh smell in the home.

To get rid of the raclette smell, a few tips * will help.

Scented candles only help for a short time, home remedies are far more effective.

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