What describes cross contamination?

• A. The transfer of harmful bacteria from one food to another.
• B. The removal of bacteria from surfaces by washing.
• C. The contamination of air with dust particles.
• D. The practice of cooking food at high temperatures.

Answer: (A)

Cross contamination happens when harmful bacteria move from one food to another, often via hands, utensils, equipment, or contaminated surfaces. That transfer is exactly what the description is capturing, so it’s the best fit. Other options describe cleaning away bacteria, airborne dust, or simply cooking food, none of which define the act of bacteria moving between foods. To prevent this, keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate, wash hands and utensils between tasks, and clean and sanitize work surfaces regularly (for example, avoid using the same knife on raw chicken and ready-to-eat salad without washing).