A separate chopping board should be used for...

• A. Fresh fruit
• B. Dairy products
• C. Bread and pastries
• D. Raw meats and ready to eat foods

Answer: (D)

Separating chopping boards prevents cross-contamination. Raw meats can carry bacteria that can transfer to surfaces and other foods easily. If a board used for raw meat is also used for foods that are ready to eat and won’t be cooked, those bacteria may end up on the ready-to-eat items. Since those foods won’t be heated before eating, the bacteria wouldn’t be killed, posing a real food-safety risk. That’s why the recommended practice is to use a separate board for raw meats and for foods that are eaten without further cooking.

The other items listed are typically ready-to-eat or prepared foods where the immediate danger from raw meat is less direct, so the strongest safety rule centers on keeping raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods.