Question

What food safety practice can prevent cross-contamination?

Select one:
a. Using only food-grade equipment
b. Washing, rinsing, and sanitizing utensils before each use
c. Keeping food frozen until use
d. Purchasing food from approved, reputable suppliers

Answer 1

The best practice to prevent cross-contamination is washing, rinsing, and sanitizing utensils, cutting boards, and countertops before each use to prevent microbes from raw foods such as meat and eggs from transferring to other foods.

Step-by-step explanation:

The food safety practice that can prevent cross-contamination is washing, rinsing, and sanitizing utensils before each use. Cross-contamination occurs when microbes are transferred from one food item, particularly raw foods like eggs, poultry, and meat, to another such as ready-to-eat food items. Utensils, cutting boards, and countertops that come into contact with contaminated foods should always be cleaned properly before they are used to prepare other foods. This cleaning process is crucial for maintaining food safety and preventing the spread of foodborne diseases.

To further ensure safety, always engage in regular handwashing, especially after handling raw meat or poultry, and before eating or preparing other foods. Utensils and food preparation surfaces should be washed to eliminate any potentially harmful bacteria.

Moreover, using cooking thermometers to check that food has reached a minimum internal temperature of 74 degrees C (165 degrees F) can kill most bacteria present in the food, hence preventing foodborne diseases.