What is one way to prevent cross-contamination?

Cleaning and sanitizing surfaces between uses is an effective way to prevent cross-contamination because it eliminates harmful pathogens that may be present on food-contact surfaces. When preparing food, different kinds of ingredients can carry bacteria or viruses. For instance, raw meat may harbor pathogens that can transfer to vegetables or ready-to-eat foods if the same surface is used without proper cleaning. By thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing surfaces before switching to a different type of food, you create a safer food preparation environment, significantly reducing the risk of foodborne illness.

Using the same cutting board for every ingredient, avoiding utensil cleaning, and storing raw and cooked foods together all increase the risk of transferring harmful bacteria from one food item to another, which is exactly what cross-contamination entails. Therefore, maintaining clean surfaces is crucial in safeguarding food safety.