Cross-contamination
Cross-contamination is one of the main ways people get food borne
illnesses. Cross-contamination occurs when one food item is contaminated
by another. Cutting boards can be an easy example of this. Say you
cut raw chicken on a cutting board and then use the same cutting
board to shred lettuce for a salad. Even though you may not be able
to see the raw chicken juices all over the cutting board, they have
been spread to the lettuce. An easy way to prevent cross-contamination
of cutting boards is to have two cutting boards-one only used for
raw meats, poultry and seafood and another cutting board used for
all other foods.
If you don't have two cutting boards, the most important thing
you can do prevent all cross-contamination, is to wash cutting boards,
knives, other utensils and your hands after you use them to prepare
a food and BEFORE you move on to preparing another food. Use warm
soapy water, and for cutting boards, sanitize with a chlorine bleach
solution.
While you're at it, don't forget kitchen towels. Many people use
these repeatedly without thinking about it. They may wipe raw meat
juices from their hands on the towel, mop up egg from a counter-top
and then use the same towel on their child's face! Wash towels often,
in hot water. It is a good idea to have one towel that is only used
to dry hands that have just been washed.
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