Preventing Cross Contamination: A Huge Factor in Reducing Foodborne Illness

Cross contamination is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness, so it’s imperative to know what it is and how to prevent it.Cross contamination occurs when disease-causing bacteria and viruses are transferred from one food to another, from a surface (like a cutting board or a knife) to foods, or from a person to ready-to-eat food or food contact surface (such as dirty hands to a sandwich or a pair of single-use gloves).  Cooking foods to proper temperatures typically kills the bacteria, but most food contamination occurs when the bacteria from raw proteins comes into contact with ready-to-eat foods that aren’t cooked.

Preventing cross contamination is a huge factor in reducing foodborne illnesses.  If raw proteins (poultry, meats, seafood eggs) come into contact with ready-to-eat foods (fruits, vegetables, cheese, etc.), the resulting cross contamination can quickly become a crisis.   

Preventing cross contamination is a food safety “basic,” but it’s an…