Granite Kitchen Countertops and Bacteria

According to Dr. O. Peter Snyder, Jr. of the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management, Minneapolis, USA, Granite is the most hygienic material for food preparation in the kitchen after stainless steel.  If one is concerned about bacterial contamination on the kitchen countertop, Granite is the answer.

Dr. Snyder's study measured the resistance to bacteria of six common countertop materials.  Each surface was contaminated with E-coli (nearly 2 Billion of the micro organisms), washed and rinsed with soap and water then sanitized with a vinegar-and-water solution.  The results are shown in the table below.

Surface micro-organisms eliminated by cleaning:

Myth No. 1

Granite can harbor harmful bacteria!

Research has shown that granite is one of the most hygienic materials for a countertop

Myth No. 2

Granite cannot be repaired once it is scratched!

Most granite surfaces are almost impossible to scratch and, should this happen; an expert fabricator or stone restoration professional can use a variety of techniques for resurfacing and removing scratches from granite.

Myth No. 3

Solid Surfaces will not stain and Granite will!

Another myth that needs to be shattered.  Some granites need to be sealed to prevent staining – a simple, infrequent process.

Myth No. 4

Solid surfaces will not burn or be affected by heat!

This is actually true of granite, but … manufacturers of solid surfaces claim heat resistance of up to 212° F, while the average oven can heat your pot to 400° F.

Myth No. 5

Granite countertops cannot be made seamless!

True only to a certain extent.  Modern fabrication methods allow extremely thin and barely noticeable seaming in granite; while some granite is available in large slabs, eliminating the need for seams altogether.