Some people become very concerned about bacterial contamination when they witness "double dipping," the practice of dipping a piece of food into a communal bowl of dip or sauce, taking a bite, then re-dipping the same piece of food. The risk of spreading germs through this practice is relatively minimal, however. Studies have shown that there might be a slight transfer of germs, but nothing that should actually spread disease. Still, double dipping is considered by most people to be bad etiquette.
More about communal food:
- Although double-dipping poses a negligible health risk, leaving food out at room temperature for more than two hours does pose a health risk. Dips and other perishables should be swapped out every two hours. The reserves should be kept in a refrigerator until they are served.
- Party hosts should prepare raw vegetables or salsa on cutting boards that are reserved for veggies. Raw meats should be kept entirely separate to avoid cross-contamination.
- Double dipping might be bad etiquette, but calling out someone for it in front of other people might be even more rude. Someone who is concerned about germs could place a spoonful of dip on a plate and serve himself or herself from this separate, uncontaminated supply of dip.
Discussion Comments
In my opinion, although double dipping is considered bad etiquette, and though there's always the possibility of spreading germs, I feel that people make a bigger deal out of it than is necessary.
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