Cross-Contamination

This brief, self-paced tutorial will help you to understand what cross-contamination is, how it occurs, ramifications, and prevention techniques.

1. Cross-Contamination
Definition and
Prevention Techniques

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In this lesson, you’ll learn about
Cross-Contamination
Definition
Examples
Results
Prevention

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Cross-contamination Defined
Cross Contamination occurs when
bacteria is carried from one object to
another object, person to person, or
from one object to a person.

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Examples of Object to Object
Cross-contamination
Failing to use separate plates for cooked and RTE foods
Example: using the same plate to take raw hamburger
patties out to the grill and using the same plate to bring the
cooked burgers in
Failing to wash, rinse and sanitize cutting boards, knives
and utensils in-between usage for raw and cooked food
Example: cutting raw chicken on a cutting board and cutting
a head of lettuce without washing, rinsing and sanitizing in-
between these uses
Improper Storage
Example: RTE food, such as salad, is stored in the
refrigerator below uncooked food, such as raw chicken. The
raw chicken can drip into the salad.

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A word about
Proper Storage
Use final cooking
temperatures as a guide
The higher the final
cooking temperature, the
lower the food item should
be stored on refrigerator
shelves
In case of dripping, this
will help maintain food
safety
RTE Foods
(including leftovers –
these foods have
already been
cooked)
Whole Roasts
145 °F.
Fish
145 °F.
Ground Meat
(except ground poultry)
160 °F.
Poultry
(and ground poultry)
165°F.

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Storage Exercise
2.Drag and drop to store the food
correctly in the refrigerator from top
to bottom.
3.Drag and drop to assign the proper
final cooking temperature to each
item.
Fish
Pork Roast
Sausage
Ground Beef
Raw Chicken
Birthday
Cake
145
160
RTE
145
160
165

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Examples of Person to Person
Cross-contamination
Via Food
Example: Raw meat is handled by one person and, prior to
hand washing, that person shakes hands with another (and
another, and another…)
Via Hands
Example: Failing to wash hands after restroom use,
coughing, sneezing then shaking someone’s hand

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Examples of Object to Person
Cross-contamination
Hands are not washed before handling food
Hands are not washed after handling raw food and
before handling Ready-To-Eat (RTE) foods
Example: handling raw chicken and failing to wash hands
before handling salad
Failing to use separate plates for cooked and RTE foods
Example: using the same plate to take raw hamburger
patties out to the grill and using the same plate to bring the
cooked burgers in
Failing to wash, rinse and sanitize cutting boards, knives
and utensils in-between usage for raw and cooked food
Example: cutting raw chicken on a cutting board and cutting
a head of lettuce without washing, rinsing and sanitizing in-
between these uses

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Results of Cross-contamination
Foodborne Illness (FBI)
Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
FBI outbreaks occur when two or more people contract
a foodborne illness after eating the same food

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Preventing Cross-contamination
Always wash your hands before handling food AND in-
between handling raw and RTE foods
Always wash, rinse and sanitize cutting boards, knives and
utensils in-between preparation of raw and RTE foods
Always wash hands after:
Using the restroom
Coughing or sneezing
Touching your hair or face
Handling garbage or cleaning chemicals

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For More Information…
Visit the CDC’s web site to view a video on proper
hand washing:
http://www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/handstogether/
Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about
symptoms and sources of specific foodborne
illnesses:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm103263.htm