Answer :
Cross-contamination occurs when pathogens are transferred from one food item or surface to another—typically when cooked food comes into contact with implements or surfaces that have been used with contaminated raw foods like poultry or eggs without proper cleaning. It's a significant source of foodborne illnesses.
Type of Contamination from Cooked Food Touching Infected Surfaces
When cooked food comes into contact with something that contains pathogens, this is known as cross-contamination. Cross-contamination involves the transfer of harmful microbes from one food item or surface to another. This can happen when foods harboring bacteria like Salmonella—typical in raw eggs, poultry, and meat—are placed in direct contact with ready-to-eat foods such as fruits, vegetables, or bread. To avoid this, it's essential that separate cutting boards, knives, and countertops are used for preparing raw contaminated foods and ready-to-eat foods. If the same implements and surfaces are used, thorough cleaning between preparations is crucial to prevent cross-contamination.
Pathogens can enter foods at any point from farm to kitchen, and failure to properly separate raw foods from cooked items can result in bacteria multiplying to levels that can cause illness. Minimizing cross-contamination is a fundamental food safety practice. For instance, using dedicated cutting boards for raw meat and fresh produce, and ensuring that foods are cooked to temperatures sufficient to kill bacteria are ways to prevent foodborne illnesses.