How likely is bad bacteria to grow in commercial pickle juice?

Question

My mother always told me to never put my fingers in the pickle juice or to use a fork directly to eat from the pickle jar, as it would infect the pickle juice with germs and whatnot and make us all sick. Is that correct, or was she sh*tting me?

Answer 1

The solution will not allow bacteria to grow.

Answer 2

Mmm. You'd better conduct an extensive series of tests on that one. Every night, take one pickle out with your silver fork, and one pickle out of a different jar with your fingers.

Seriously, commercial pickle juice is not likely to grow anything -- it's got vinegar, salt and preservatives in it to prevent that from happening -- but you keep pushing the limits, you may discover a super-mold that can survive all that and kill you in three days or less. Why take the chance?

If you *hate* washing the utensils, how about using toothpicks or bamboo skewers? You can toss them after you use them. Or get a smaller jar of pickles -- most ick needs time to grow. OR, buy your own jar of pickles, label it, and let others eat from it at their own risk.

It's just polite not to put germs, dirt, and yes, sh*t in the common pot.

Answer 3

Doc,

Realisticly, pickle juice is acidic and will kill most bacteria.

Mom just didn't want you to put your unwashed hands in the pickle jar, filling it with cooties.

Her logic was correct, though. That is the exact reason you don't use the same utensils on raw chicken that you do on cooked chicken.

Answer 4

It is always more sanitary to use a clean utensil, rather than unwashed hands. However, the vinegar acts as a preservative and prevents most bacterias from developing to toxic levels.

Answer 5

She's not being paranoid. Many people are hospitalized ever year due to cross contamination. It's much safer to use a clean utensil, then eat it to your heart's content.

Answer 6

Is it possible that the pickle jar is already contaminated when you buy it. How many germs can there be are on you fingers?