1. Wash china and glass dishes and cups, and pots and pans that have been covered by flood waters with hot soapy water and a brush to remove dirt. Dishes with deep cracks should be thrown away.
2. Any piece of equipment that can be taken apart should be cleaned in pieces. Dip in sanitizing bleach solution (see instructions for sanitizing canned goods) and rinse in disinfected water.
2. Plastic cookware, utensils, plates, dishes and cups, and wooden utensils and bowls cannot be disinfected if exposed to flood water. Plastic baby bottles and nipples, and storage containers also must be thrown away.
3. Kitchen utensils made of iron probably will be rusted. Remove rust by scouring with steel wool. Sterilize with the bleach solution and re-season by applying a light coat of unsalted fat or oil and placing in a 350-degree oven for about an hour.
See also:
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Food safety articles from Missouri Families
For more information, contact the University of Missouri Extension center in your county, or call 573-882-7477.
Reviewed 12/12/07
