Unfortunately, a memo requiring you to work on Saturday may not be the only thing on your desk making you sick.

A new study by the University of Arizona says eating lunch at your desk can actually put you at risk of developing a food-borne illness.

According to their report, the average office desktop has 100 times more bacteria than a kitchen table and 400 times more than the average toilet seat. The reason? It’s likely due to our mindset that we should keep our bathrooms and kitchens clean, yet we seem to neglect the cleanliness of out workspaces.

Eighty-three percent of Americans regularly eat at their desks, according to a survey conducted by the American Dietetic Association and ConAgra Foods’ Home Food Supply Safety program.

“With fears of a double-dip recession, more people are bringing their lunches to work instead of eating out,” says Joan Salge Blake, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. “No matter how busy you may be, keep in mind that it’s just as important to practice the same food safety tips while eating at your desk as you would in your kitchen.”

The good news is there are steps you can take to avoid getting ill from chowing down at your desk, including keeping your workspace clean, placing food in a refrigerator, re-heat food appropriately if using a microwave and wash your hands.

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