In fact most of the bacteria that causes food poisoning is home grown.

On any given day, we are all subjected to millions, if not billions of bacterium. They are on the things we touch, the air we breathe and the food we eat.

Mostly they are harmless, but sometimes they are lethal.

• Staying clean, staying healthy
• Takeaway put to the test
• Home hygiene

A recent mass food poisoning outbreak occurred in Europe, when a virulent strain of e Coli, traced to vegetables fertilised with cow manure from a farm, eventually made its way to people's homes.

Experts warn the same could happen here.

Food Authority Inspector Peter Sutherland explains that “the European outbreak was particularly severe. There were people who died, hundreds of people that were ill, and more that were admitted to hospital as well.”

Under the microscope

“With homes you have raw product coming into your home. You have chicken, meat, seafood, vegetables; potentially they have bugs on them.”

Sutherland has been invited to test the kitchen of Meredith Marshall, who is curious to know how much and what sorts of microbes are lurking around her house.

“We are not manic. I don't do the whole hand sterilisation, I don't sterilise benches. It is just hot water and the other one we use is eucalyptus oil,” Marshall said.

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So is hot water and eucalyptus oil enough to keep bacteria at bay?

“What we test for when we walk into a kitchen are the areas where the bacteria might be sitting, and then can be transferred around. We're looking at chopping boards, used dishcloths, tea towels, the sink, and the dishwashers as well,” Sutherland explained.

Basically, anywhere with water, warmth and a source of food for the bacteria to live on was tested - kids toys, dummies, and indeed the kids themselves.

Serious food borne illnesses in Australia are relatively rare compared to other countries, but you only have to look at the results of our tests to know that eternal vigilance is necessary.

Analysing the results Sutherland found worrying levels of potentially harmful bacteria on numerous surfaces.

The chopping board looked clean, but bacteria cultures indicated e Coli and staphylococcus. The chicken got the all clear, but the sink was thriving

“We found a whole lot of bacteria that could indicate salmonella, staph, and e Coli there. Bacteria which in the right conditions can cause illness,” he explained.

“I think the one thing you don't think about is the drain. I never thought about that. I suppose a bacterium is able to move and would come up the drain, and into your sink, and onto your sponge as well,” said Marshall.

Marshall’s sponge was full of bacteria, some of which suggested e Coli, possibly from animals. No animal however was as filthy as the toy lion, where millions and millions of bacterium were found.

Toys which find their way into children’s mouths are havens for bacteria, particularly when the surface is fibrous and difficult to clean.

Interestingly though something that spends its life in a baby's mouth, the dummy, was spotless.

This particular dummy was non-porous with no joints, which makes it hard for bacteria to hide.

Her young son Karl, however, went straight from the bathroom to the kitchen for a sandwich, which was being shoveled into his mouth by some very dirty mitts

Karl’s hands were a haven for lots of different bacteria, e Coli, salmonella, and listeria - all of which could probably have been avoided if Karl had washed his hands in the bathroom.

Marshall found the experiment a useful reminder to be vigilant, but as a busy mum she says she has little choice but to believe a little germ exposure is good for the kids.

• NSW Food authority - www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au
• Better Health Victoria - www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au