Why can Licking a spoon and putting it back into food cause poisoning?

There are a few reasons why licking a spoon and putting it back into food can cause poisoning.

* Transfer of bacteria: When you lick a spoon, you transfer bacteria from your mouth to the food. This can include harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. These bacteria can multiply in the food and make you sick if you eat it.

* Increased risk of contamination: When you put a licked spoon back into the food, you also increase the risk of contaminating the entire batch of food. This is because the bacteria from your mouth can spread to other parts of the food, even if you don't directly lick those parts.

* Potential for cross-contamination: If you lick a spoon and then use it to stir other foods, you can also cross-contaminate those foods with bacteria from your mouth. This is especially dangerous if you are preparing food for people who are at high risk of foodborne illness, such as young children, the elderly, or people with weakened immune systems.

To avoid food poisoning, it is important to always wash your hands before handling food, and to avoid licking spoons or other utensils that will come into contact with food. If you do need to taste food, be sure to use a clean spoon each time.