What should you do with food and drinks in the laboratory?

In a laboratory setting, it is crucial to maintain a safe and contamination-free environment, especially regarding food and drinks. Keeping food and beverages outside the lab prevents the risk of contamination from chemicals, biological agents, or other hazardous materials that may be present in the lab. Consuming food or drinks in the lab can lead to accidental ingestion of these contaminants, which poses significant health risks.

Storing food and drinks in chemical cabinets or leaving them on countertops contributes to the potential for contamination and distractions, which can compromise safety and focus during laboratory work. Therefore, storing food and drinks outside the laboratory is the best practice to ensure both your safety and the integrity of the laboratory environment.