Food Safety-Cross Contamination
What is Cross Contamination?
The transfer of bacteria from one product to another by one of the following ways.
1. Raw food or its juices comes in contact with safe foods- usually caused by dripping or storing in the same container etc.
2. Contaminated hands are use to touch safe foods
3. Contaminated tools and equipment are used to handle safe foods.
Cross contamination can occur in many ways. Some examples are:
· Cutting raw meat and another product such as salad with the same knife or cutting board.
· Thawing meat container dripping into other foods in the fridge.
· Food worker who changes songs on an Ipod and then cook without washing their hands.
Avoid cross contamination by
· The best way to prevent cross contamination is to wash your hands between jobs.
· Store all raw meat products on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, away from ready to eat foods.
· Change cutting boards, knives and other utensils between jobs
· Ensure all equipment is sanitized between use. This includes stationary equipment such as commercial mixers, handles on ovens, fridges, freezers etc.
· Use different platters to hold raw/cooked meat products.
· Clean and sanitize all countertops between use.
· Wash all fruits and vegetables well before cutting.
· Cover all foods during storage.
· Never move boxes from the floor onto food surface prep areas.
The transfer of bacteria from one product to another by one of the following ways.
1. Raw food or its juices comes in contact with safe foods- usually caused by dripping or storing in the same container etc.
2. Contaminated hands are use to touch safe foods
3. Contaminated tools and equipment are used to handle safe foods.
Cross contamination can occur in many ways. Some examples are:
· Cutting raw meat and another product such as salad with the same knife or cutting board.
· Thawing meat container dripping into other foods in the fridge.
· Food worker who changes songs on an Ipod and then cook without washing their hands.
Avoid cross contamination by
· The best way to prevent cross contamination is to wash your hands between jobs.
· Store all raw meat products on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, away from ready to eat foods.
· Change cutting boards, knives and other utensils between jobs
· Ensure all equipment is sanitized between use. This includes stationary equipment such as commercial mixers, handles on ovens, fridges, freezers etc.
· Use different platters to hold raw/cooked meat products.
· Clean and sanitize all countertops between use.
· Wash all fruits and vegetables well before cutting.
· Cover all foods during storage.
· Never move boxes from the floor onto food surface prep areas.