Every kitchen, grocery store and dining room are environments favorable to the production of bacteria and microbes, making it important to be cautious for those with allergies. According to the Government of Canada, there are an estimated 4 million cases of foodborne diseases each year. Many of these cases can be stopped by adopting safe practices while handling food. Therefore, in this article we will teach you what cross-contamination is and how it can be avoided.
The risk of cross-contamination is present whenever a raw food passes bacteria to cooked or prepared food. It can be transmitted from one item to another, for example peanuts near cake, in the case of allergens, may cause an allergic reaction. It can also be transmitted from a food manipulator, such as unwashed hands, coughing, sneezing or hair. It can spread when touched by an unproperly cleaned or sanitized utensil or work surface, such as a knife, spoon, cutting board, etc.
Even though there are many situations where cross-contamination could occur, it is highly preventable with just a few simple steps:
To make sure cross-contamination doesn’t happen in your kitchen, be sure to have the best quality kitchen tools ready for use. This includes having at least two wooden cutting boards. One will be used for meat and fish and the other for fruit and vegetables. Remember that your kitchen is also a place of creativity so why not customize your cutting boards with a laser engraving of your choice. Visit our online store for ideas!