Used dishcloths often contain dangerous levels of E. coli bacteria that could increase the risk of food poisoning, a university study has found.
The University of Hong Kong study found that after five days of use, cloths, such as those used to clean dishes and chopping boards, were a breeding ground for billions of bacteria colonies.
Out of the 32 used samples taken from households, four were found to contain the bacteria E. coli at a level of 2.6 million colony forming units (CFU) per gram.
Any level exceeding 100 CFU per gram is considered dangerous and may lead to problems including food poisoning and diarrhoea.
Ng Sze-park, a lecturer from the university's microbiology department that led the test, said the high level might increase people's risk of indirect intake of E coli.
'Some of the bacteria on the cloth may be transferred to crockery by wiping. While not all forms of E. coli bacteria are harmful to the human body, a large amount may heighten the chance of infection,' he said.