Understand Cross Contamination: What It Is and How to Prevent It

For you, restaurant and food business owners, understanding cross contamination is important.

Cross contamination can occur at any time, at various stages, and can harm health if not properly handled.

What is Cross Contamination?

Cross contamination occurs when harmful bacteria or microorganisms transfer from one food item to another.

This process is often considered a cause of foodborne illness, although contamination can also involve other substances such as food allergens or chemicals.

Although many people assume that food poisoning only happens in restaurants, the reality is that cross contamination can occur at various stages, from production and storage to food preparation.

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Types of Cross Contamination

There are three main types of cross contamination that you should be aware of:

1. Food-to-Food

This happens when contaminated food mixes with non-contaminated food. For example, adding unwashed raw vegetables to a salad can transfer bacteria from the vegetables to the other ingredients.

Foods that are prone to contamination include raw meats, eggs, unpasteurized milk, and leafy vegetables.

2. Equipment-to-Food

Kitchen equipment such as knives, cutting boards, or storage containers that are not properly cleaned can harbor bacteria.

If these tools are reused without cleaning, bacteria can transfer to the food being prepared.

For example, using the same cutting board for raw meat and vegetables can contaminate the vegetables.

3. People-to-Food

We as humans can unintentionally transfer bacteria from our bodies or clothes to food.

For example, touching raw food, coughing into hands, or using unclean utensils can spread bacteria to food.

Even habits like not washing hands after coughing or touching pets can contribute to this issue.

How to Prevent Cross Contamination

To avoid cross contamination, there are several simple steps we can take at each stage, from shopping to serving food:

1. While Shopping

Separate raw meats, poultry, and seafood from other foods in your shopping cart.
Use plastic bags to wrap these items so that juices from raw meat do not drip onto other foods.

2. While Storing Food

Store raw meats in sealed containers or plastic bags to prevent their juices from dripping onto other foods. Also, store eggs in their original carton in the refrigerator.

3. While Preparing Food

Preparing food is one of the most effective ways to prevent cross contamination. Here are some key steps:

• Use separate cutting boards for vegetables and raw meat.
• Make sure to clean the cutting board and other equipment after each use.
• Marinate food in the refrigerator, not on the countertop.
• Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water to remove dirt and bacteria.
• Do not leave cut food at room temperature for too long.

4. While Serving Food

Always use a clean plate for cooked food, and never place cooked food back on the same plate or cutting board that held raw food.

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Conclusion

By understanding the types of cross contamination and following the proper prevention steps, we can reduce the risk of foodborne illness and ensure that the food we consume is safe.

Maintaining cleanliness and educating yourself about food safety are essential to prevent these issues.

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