Cross-Contamination Basics
What is cross-contamination?
It is a process by which harmful bacteria or other microorganisms are unintentionally transferred from one surface.
hese should always be kept separate from raw meats in your shopping cart, refrigerator, and prep area.
What are ready-to-eat foods
True or False: It’s safe to eat cookie dough if it doesn’t contain eggs.
What is false? (Flour can still contain harmful bacteria like E. coli.)
This is the most common symptom of a foodborne illness
What is diarrhea?
This step is required before and after handling food, especially raw meat.
What is handwashing?
This common kitchen item can spread bacteria from raw meat to vegetables if not cleaned properly.
What is a cutting board?
Using the same marinade for raw and cooked meat is unsafe because of this.
What is the spread of bacteria from raw meat juices?
True or False: You should always rinse raw chicken before cooking it.
What is false? (It spreads bacteria around the sink and kitchen.)
This bacteria, often found in undercooked poultry, is a leading cause of food poisoning.
What is Salmonella?
Foods should not be left in the "danger zone," which ranges between these two temperatures.
What is 40°F and 140°F?
The safest way to store raw meat in the refrigerator is on this shelf.
What is the bottom shelf?
True or False: You can safely reuse a plate that held raw chicken for cooked chicken.
What is false?
True or False: Cross-contamination can happen in the refrigerator.
What is true?
This illness can develop from eating food contaminated with the bacteria Listeria.
What is listeriosis?
This should always be done to leftovers within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacteria growth.
What is refrigerating?
These two tools should not be used on raw meat and ready-to-eat foods without proper cleaning.
What are knives and tongs?
These 3 kitchen items should be thoroughly sanitized to avoid cross-contamination: cutting boards, countertops, and this.
: What are knives (or utensils)?
True or False: You can tell food is safe by how it looks and smells.
What is false? (Harmful bacteria often don’t change appearance or smell.)
A virus, not a bacteria, this is a common cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in restaurants.
What is norovirus?
To ensure even cooking and safety, you should always use this kitchen tool.
What is a food thermometer?
Before handling food, this 20-second task is the most important step to prevent cross-contamination.
What is washing your hands?
Cross-contamination can occur when you don’t change this between handling raw meat and vegetables.
What are gloves?
True or False: Using the same cloth to wipe down all surfaces is safe.
What is false? (It can spread bacteria between surfaces.)
These individuals are at higher risk for severe reactions to foodborne illnesses.
Who are the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems?
: When thawing frozen food, this method is safest.
What is thawing in the refrigerator?