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Items like a salad spinner, thermometer, good cleaning products and even a veggie brush can give you some peace of mind.

Lourdes Avila Uribe is a senior staff writer at HuffPost covering shopping trends, lifestyle and new products.

Despite so much of the situation being out of our control, there are things we can do to help mitigate the chances of getting sick, Shumaker said. “There are several steps that people can take to avoid getting foodborne illness. Washing hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent norovirus.”

She added that other steps include cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and equipment in the kitchen, avoiding cross-contamination between raw foods and ready-to-eat foods, using a food thermometer to make sure that foods are cooked thoroughly, and keeping cold foods cold and hot foods hot.

Shumaker also explained that “washing fruits and vegetables using plain running water is recommended to remove soil and other contaminants.” Though she cautioned that while it can remove some microorganisms, it cannot eliminate all of them. (Cyclospora, with which we all became acquainted this summer, can only be killed by cooking.)

Based on her guidance, we’ve curated a selection of items that can help give you peace of mind. These items may seem basic, but you’ll be glad you stocked up the next time norovirus or a similar sickness strikes.

The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.

Shumaker recommend keeping foods at their appropriate temperatures to avoid potentially harmful bacterial growth, but that can be tough when you’re hitting the road, packing lunch for work or school or planning for a day out of the house.

Our pick: This PackIt insulated snack box is freezable, so you can keep it in your freezer until you need it and then pop in everything from snacks, yogurt and even medications. I used it religiously while doing IVF, it was a total lifesaver. What’s great about it is that the freeable gel is built into the bag, so you don’t need to take up space with an extra ice pack. It’s ready to go and the perfect size for a diaper bag, purse or work tote. You can get it in a range of different colors and patterns.

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in 10 colors).

Our pick: I first got my hands on one of these Thermos Funtainer food jars while trying to sort out how to keep my kid’s lunches warm. He eats a lot of rice, and the thought of it growing bacteria while sitting in a room-temperature lunchbox all day sends chills down my spine. I have found that the 10-ounce size is perfect for lunch, though you can also get it in a larger size. Soups, beans and rice, stews and basically any foods that you want to keep hot will stay hot in this jar, which can help to keep you safe from sickness.

Get it from Amazon for $17.10+ (available in 35 colors). 

Shumaker told us that preventing cross-contamination is an absolute must, and having multiple cutting boards to work with can help ensure everything stays nice and clean.

Our pick: The oversize 100% BPA-free cutting board set has a slip-resistant handle and rubber border to keep it firmly in place during meal prep and the reversible design reduces opportunities for cross-contamination. The set is available in a ton of colors and includes three boards, each measuring 16, 13 and 11 inches.

Promising review: “Absolutely love this set of cutting boards! I am so happy to have 3 different sizes for my different kitchen needs. They are excellent quality, they clean up so easily and no stains! I am so very very happy I purchased them and I am thinking about getting another set for our travel trailer. This was a great purchase!” —azcowgirrlup

Get it from Amazon for $21.49+ (available in 23 colors). 

In previous HuffPost coverage of this summer’s cyclosporiasis outbreak, an epidemiology expert told us that a salad spinner can help keep fruits and vegetables extra clean.

If you don’t already own one, the OXO Good Grips salad spinner is one of the most beloved options on the internet, and aside from keeping you and your family safe from any unwanted illnesses, it may prove to be one of the most convenient tools in your kitchen. Available in three sizes and made from dishwasher-safe plastic, the OXO spinner makes properly washing your vegetables a foolproof process.

It has an internal colander that fits inside the bowl, so you can soak your produce, lift the colander portion out to drain, and then return all pieces before using the powerful spin function to remove all water from your produce.

Promising review: “The push-button spinner works great and dries lettuce and other vegetables in seconds. I also like that the basket and bowl can be used separately. It’s practical, easy to use.” —Andrew Godo

Get it from Amazon for $27.95+ (available in two sizes and three colors).

Shumaker recommended using a meat thermometer to ensure that food is fully cooked and safe to consume.

Our pick: In previous reporting, a professional chef recommended this particular option. It has a large display that is easy to read and is very accurate within seconds and has a thin probe that is easy to get into the center of the meat for the most accurate temperature. It also folds up, so it’s easy to store and carry.

Promising review: “This digital meat thermometer has changed my life. It works great and is very easy to use. It gives fast, accurate readings, the screen is backlit, and best of all it is magnetic, so it sticks to the oven/grill. We used to lose the old one all the time, but no more! It also automatically turns on what you pull the thermometer part out, and then back off when you push it back in. Highly recommended.” —lespaulio

Our pick: During the height of the Cyclospora paranoia, I added a veggie brush to my kitchen arsenal. This popular Oxo option sloughs off dirt and other unmentionables with ease thanks to its sturdy and durable stiff bristles. It’s ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in your hand, and makes it incredibly easy to thoroughly clean your fruits and root veg.

Promising review: “I purchased this OXO Good Grips vegetable brush to clean my vegetables before juicing, and it has worked very well for that purpose. The brush is compact and easy to hold, but the bristles are firm enough to thoroughly clean dirt and debris from vegetables without much effort. It’s simple to use, feels well-made, and does exactly what it’s supposed to do. I also think it’s very affordable for the quality. If you wash a lot of fresh vegetables or fruits, this is a handy little tool to have in the kitchen.“ —Sharon C.

Our pick: Chalk this beauty up as a want, not a need, but I couldn’t resist adding it to the list. This gorgeous ceramic berry washing bowl is similar in design and purpose to a salad spinner, but is much more aesthetically pleasing. Etsy seller Jessicaguys has a selection of beautiful colors to choose from, and the dishwasher- and microwave-safe bowl is charming enough to use for serving and storage as well, making it conveniently multifunctional.

Promising review: “Beautiful piece and excellent packaging. Outer box was crushed in mailing so I was nervous opening it. It was so very well packaged that nothing was damaged inside! The piece itself is highly functional and a beautiful addition to my kitchen.” —Etsy buyer

Get it from Jessicaguys on Etsy for $41.62. 

Our pick: Made of stainless steel, these mixing and colander bowls were designed to be rust-, stain- and odor-resistant, making them a quality investment. This set of four includes a mixing bowl, a colander, and airtight, BPA-free lids and three graters. The colander has a rotating function so you can drain your food without it falling out, which adds a layer of convenience and hygiene.

Get them from Walmart for $12.98 (originally $29.99; available in three colors). 

“I just encourage people to make sure they have hand soap and paper towels/clean kitchen towels stocked at the sink for handwashing,” Shumaker said.

Our pick: This set of six packs of Dial soap is designed to be as gentle as it is effective at killing bacteria. It’s formulated with all skin types in mind, so you can rest assured that your hands are being thoroughly clenased without stripping the skin of it’s natural moisture barrier. It even has aloe and gentle conditioners to keep your skin soft and smooth. Pop one of these at your kitchen sink so you are never without it.

Promising review: “This foaming hand soap is an excellent everyday option that checks all the boxes for our house. The bottle size and design are practical, so it doesn’t take up a lot of counter space, and the pump is sturdy and easy to use, dispensing a nice, consistent foam. The soap itself lasts a good amount of time, making the multi-pack a great value for stocking up. The scent is clean and pleasant without being overpowering, and it does a great job of cleaning without leaving behind any greasy or filmy residue. I also appreciate the added aloe, which helps keep your hands feeling refreshed and moisturized instead of dry or cracked after repeated use. All in all, it’s an effective, gentle, and budget-friendly hand soap that I’d definitely recommend! Would purchase again for certain!” —Collin M.

Get it from Amazon for $17.94 (available in seven scents, including fragrance-free).

Our pick: I love using Swedish dishcloths instead of paper towels. These particular packs from Swedish Wholesale include 10 dishcloths and are available in 10 different colors and patterns, or an assorted color pack if you prefer a bit of variety. Swedish dishcloths are washing machine-safe, but they also hold up great in the dishwasher. When the cloths have run their course, simply add them to the compost bin.

I bought a 10-pack and found that at most, I go through one cloth a month. (Serious cleaning fanatics might go through two.) That means that I’ve used 10 compostable dishcloths in the same amount of time I would have used approximately 24 paper towel rolls.

Best of all, they’re super multifunctional. I primarily use them to wipe down counters and kitchen appliances, but they’re also great for drying dishes and are safe to use on a variety of surfaces, from marble and tile to stainless steel and wood surfaces. The fabric is odor-resistant, and since it hardens when it’s dry, it can help to restrict bacterial growth.

Promising review: “Switched to these to cut down on paper towel use in the kitchen and honestly wish I’d done it sooner.

They’re super absorbent, soak up spills way better than I expected for something so thin. Wring them out and they dry pretty fast so they’re not sitting around damp and gross. The odor resistant thing actually holds up too, haven’t had that sour dishrag smell even after a few uses between washes.

10 pack is clutch, one in the kitchen, one in the bathroom, extras for wiping counters, spills, whatever. Machine washable so keeping them clean is easy, just toss them in with a load.

Good size, not too small to be useless but not huge either. Great eco-friendly swap if you’re trying to use less paper towels. Would recommend.” — Henry W.

Get it from Amazon for $19.90 (available in 12 colors). 

Our pick: Lysol’s popular disinfecting wipes are an absolute game-changer. Not only do they kill a vast majority of viruses and bacteria, but they are also stronger than paper towels. Stock up with this four-pack and don’t worry about it again for quite a while.

Promising review: “I have been a Lysol fan for many many years but then the pandemic came along and I fell in love all over again because I knew my trusted cleaner would kill everything and help keep us healthy. I travel with this brand and use it everywhere on everything. No matter how clean anything looks, with this I know it is clean.“ —Angela Stone

Our pick: Before we even get into the formula of the soap, what really makes Dawn Powerwash stand apart is the removable, reusable continuous pump spray nozzle that allows you to easily cover dishes with suds with a single pump. The spray activates on contact — no water necessary — so cleaning happens before you even start scrubbing.

The formula is tough on grime but smells divine. Dawn has long been a popular choice for dish soap (you may have heard about bird rescuers using Dawn dish soap to effectively clean birds affected by oil spills, or seen the commercials), but Powerwash takes it to the next level. The brand says Powerwash is made with three cleaning boosters that aren’t found in traditional dish soaps. These boosters are said to remove 99% of grease and grime five times faster than competitive brands. Best of all, you can use it all over your house. Having clean dishes is of the utmost importance when trying to avoid foodborne contaminants.

Promising review: “Okay, let’s talk about the miracle in a bottle that is Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the best thing to ever happen to my kitchen. If dishwashing were a sport, this would be my MVP. I have never been so excited to do dishes in my life. It’s like Dawn took all the things I hated about washing dishes, threw them out the window, and handed me a spray bottle full of magic. […]” —Kambuko (This review has been edited for length. Read the full review.)

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $18.08 (available in three scents).