(NBC News) The absolute best way to avoid cross-contamination of bacteria in the kitchen is to wash your hands, but a new study from the United States Department of Agriculture found home cooks rarely do it well or at all.
"Surprisingly, consumers don't wash their hands before handling food and that seems like the easiest thing you can do," said Carmen Rottenberg from the USDA.
USDA researchers videotaped people to see if they cooked meat properly, with participants knowing they were being watched.
Participants failed to wash their hands 97% of the times they should have and nearly half contaminated spice containers after handling raw meat.
"You can't see pathogens, you can't see bacteria on your hands, and so you need to remember, even if they don't look dirty, they could very well have dangerous bacteria," said Rottenberg.
Salmonella, which can lurk on raw meat and eggs, can live on surfaces for up to 32 hours.
Experts say proper hand washing means scrubbing hands with soap for 20 seconds, then drying with a clean paper towel.