Handling cash could be bad for the tummy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One of the most widely circulated objects in the country could also be the carriers of disease-causing germs, according to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The FSSAI has asked the Food Safety Commissioners of all states to create awareness about the clean handling of currency notes and coins.

Handling of currency with unclean and soiled hands, use of saliva during counting and storage under unhygienic conditions result in it becoming contaminated with harmful microorganisms, said the advisory.

The Food Safety Commissioners have been instructed to launch a systematic campaign to discourage simultaneous handling of food and currency notes and coins.

Cross-contamination from cash is a risk to human health leading to a host of ailments, including food poisoning and skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, it said.“Food vendors, especially wayside eateries, often prepare and serve food and collect money from patrons using the same hand. Hence, food handlers, food sellers and others should avoid handling currency and food simultaneously. Ideally, handling of food and money should be physically separated. After handling currency, the hands should be thoroughly washed before serving food items,” said the March 28 communique.