Cross-contamination is best defined as?

• A. A method of cooking to kill bacteria.
• B. Transfer of harmful bacteria between food items.
• C. A chemical used for cleaning.
• D. A type of packaging material.

Answer: (B)

Cross-contamination means the transfer of harmful bacteria from one surface or food to another, often via hands, utensils, cutting boards, or contaminated equipment. This is why the statement describing transfer between food items is the best fit. It’s not about cooking to kill bacteria, not about a cleaning chemical, and not about packaging material. In practice, keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate, wash hands and utensils between tasks, and sanitize work surfaces to prevent this transfer. For example, using the same knife on raw chicken and then on vegetables without washing can spread pathogens.