Which statement best defines cross-contamination?

• A. The transfer of pathogens from one surface or food to another.
• B. The process of marinating meat in a wooden bowl.
• C. The cooking of food to kill bacteria.
• D. The spoilage of food due to improper storage.

Answer: (A)

Cross-contamination is when pathogens move from one surface or food to another, often through hands, utensils, or surfaces that are not cleaned between uses. This transfer is what can make safe foods unsafe, even if each item was handled properly on its own. For example, when raw meat juices touch a cutting board and that same board then touches ready-to-eat vegetables, bacteria can spread. The other statements describe different ideas: marinating meat in a wooden bowl is a prep method, cooking food to kill bacteria is a step to destroy pathogens, and spoilage from improper storage refers to microbes growing in a single item rather than transferring between items. To prevent cross-contamination, use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and ready-to-eat foods, wash hands and surfaces often, and keep raw and cooked items apart and properly refrigerated.