Which two foods should be separated to prevent cross-contamination?

• A. Raw meat and ready-to-eat foods
• B. Fruits and vegetables
• C. Breads and dairy
• D. Canned goods and spices

Answer: (A)

Separating raw meat from foods that will be eaten without further cooking is essential to stop cross-contamination. Raw meat can carry bacteria that survive cooking, and its juices can transfer onto ready-to-eat items like fruits, salads, or deli foods. Keeping them apart, using separate cutting boards and utensils, and storing raw meat on a lower shelf in a sealed container prevents those juices from reaching safe-to-eat foods. Other pairings either involve foods that are typically cooked before eating or aren’t as likely to transfer harmful pathogens from raw meat, though good hygiene and clean surfaces are always important.