Germ risks also contaminate relationships

Dear Readers: Every year I step away from my column to work on other projects. I hope you enjoy these “Best Of ” Q&A from 10 years ago. Today’s topic is: “germ donors!”

Dear Amy: I’ve been married for two years. I am grateful for my in-laws’ kindness. The problem is my mother-in-law’s cooking. She does not wash her hands!

I have caught her putting her fingers in food, licking her fingers and putting her fingers back in the same dish.

During our Christmas visit, she and I prepared leftovers. She “re-mashed” the potatoes with her bare hands!

My husband and I are disgusted.

Is there any way to bring this to her attention without hurting her feelings? — Grossed Out

Dear Grossed Out: This is unappetizing, not to mention unhealthy. If your motherin-law handled uncooked chicken or shellfish and then plunged her unwashed hands directly into a bowl of mashed potatoes, this could cross-contaminate foods and spread food-borne illness. If you were pregnant and contracted Listeria from these practices, it could be disastrous.

The CDC offers recommendations for safe food handling practices — and washing utensils and hands are paramount (cdc.gov). One wonders if she has always done this, or if this is a new development. If it’s new, his mother could have her own health issues leading to this behavior. Bringing this up shouldn’t cause conflict.

Try saying: “Mom, I’m very concerned about hand-washing. Can you help me out here? I feel like I can’t eat comfortably unless the cook washes her hands. I can’t eat after I’ve seen hands in the food.”