What is an example of cross-contamination?

Cross-contamination refers to the transfer of harmful bacteria or pathogens from one food item to another, and touching raw meat and then ready-to-eat food is a prime example of this. When raw meat is handled, it can carry harmful microorganisms on its surface. If a person then uses the same hand or utensil to touch ready-to-eat food without washing their hands in between, those pathogens can be transferred to the ready-to-eat food, potentially leading to foodborne illness.

This scenario highlights the importance of proper food handling practices, which include washing hands thoroughly after handling raw meats and using separate utensils for raw and cooked foods to prevent contamination. Understanding this helps reinforce the need for diligence in food safety protocols to ensure that food remains safe for consumption.