Businesses that serve food must know the importance of handling and maintaining food and cooking equipment properly; otherwise, they risk cross-contamination. Capable of manifesting in multiple elusive forms, it’s vital to educate your employees about proper hygiene and preventing contamination. Below, you’ll understand what cross-contamination is, the different types of it and how they’re avoided. 

What Is Cross-Contamination?

Cross-contamination is the transfer of bacteria from one person, object, or food to another. Different variations of cross-contamination include person-to-food, equipment-to-food, and food-to-food. Contamination can occur undetected and cause harm to whoever ingests the food, whether by dirty cooking utensils or improperly preparing a dish. 

Types of Cross-Contamination

Person-to-Food

Your kitchen staff encounters bacteria on a variety of surfaces. During a shift, their hands touch raw food, used cooking equipment, cleaning chemicals, and potentially handle money, along with occasional sneezing or coughing. Establish that employees must wash their hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water, and wear gloves when handling food to prevent person-to-food contamination. 

Equipment-to-Food

When raw meat is prepared, the equipment used for the process, such as a cutting board or knife, is immediately infected with bacteria. If the equipment is not promptly washed, new food that comes in contact with it is cross-contaminated. Wash cooking utensils with warm water and soap after each use; additionally, wipe down and sanitize counters after a meal is prepared. 

Food-to-Food

Adding raw or uncleaned food to a cooked or prepared product is food-to-food contamination. Placing vegetables on a shelf below raw meat leaves the produce susceptible to dripping from the product above; consequently, the same goes for adding unwashed, bacteria-contaminated lettuce to a fresh salad. Store raw foods separately and away from other ingredients until they’re appropriately prepared. 

When you need cooking equipment, visit Commercial Refrigeration of KY Inc., located in Campbellsville, KY. Whether its repairs or replacements, this locally owned company provides 24-hour service, so you get the utensils you need. They also offer a variety of kitchen equipment such as grills, fryers, and exhaust hoods. Visit their website or call (270) 465-2910 to get in touch with a professional.