Cross-contamination of foods is one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses. Do you know how to keep your kitchen clean and your guests safe?
You’ve just removed the giblets and placed the turkey in its pan. You wash your hands, grab the butter and use a knife to scoop a tablespoon off, then slather it on the turkey. Now you’re ready to cut the veggies for your side dishes. What should you do first?
A. Use the butter knife to start cutting the veggies.
B. Put the butter away.
C. Wash your hands.
If you picked C, you probably recognized that raw turkey or the knife that touched it could contaminate the butter and vegetables. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cross-contamination is one of the top 5 risk factors associated with foodborne illnesses.
Cross-contamination is the transfer of harmful bacteria to food from other food products, countertops or utensils.
You can take steps to avoid foodborne illnesses, whether you’re at home or work. All it takes is knowing how to safely work with food.
Safe from the start
The best way to prevent cross-contamination is by washing your hands before touching food and before putting on gloves if you use them to handle food. You should also separate foods, especially raw meat, from prepared and ready-to-eat food.
Wiping it down
In addition to washing your hands, you should also clean countertops, cutting boards, utensils, dishes and anything else food has been in contact with between each step. Cleanliness is your best friend in fighting bacteria, according to the Partnership for Food Safety Education.
Back to the basics
Don’t forget this lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic: frequently washing your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds is still a best practice!
