Cross-Food Contamination...

Since I am still new to cooking I have to keep reminding myself about food safety and food contamination!  Here are some helpful hints!  

Hand Washing

Pathogens can be introduced into food from infected humans who handle the food without thoroughly washing their hands.

These pathogens are thus transferred from trace amounts of fecal matter present on hands to the food.

Hand washing has become just an everyday habit!  I have hand lotion every where!

Food and Kitchen Tool

Food and kitchen tools and surfaces may become contaminated from raw food products (i.e., meat and poultry).

Microbes can be transferred from one food to another by using the same knife, cutting board or other utensil without washing the surface or utensil in between uses.

A food that is fully cooked can become re-contaminated if it touches other raw foods or drippings from raw foods that contain pathogens.