12 | Protect Food in all Phases of Preparation Using HACCP Guidelines Table 12.13 Examples of How Cross-Contamination May Occur
• A foodservice staff member prepares raw fish while wearing gloves and then puts a pan of macaroni and cheese into the warmer without changing gloves and washing hands.
• A cook dices beef for stew on a cutting board and then chops onions on the same board without cleaning and sanitizing the surface between jobs.
• A cook uses the same spatula to put raw burgers on the grill and to remove cooked burgers from the grill. • A foodservice staff member allows raw egg mixture to splash over prepared foods near the steam table.
• An employee picks up trash from the floor and then enters the walk-in refrigerator without first washing hands.
Cross-contact is the transfer of a food allergen to a food that is meant to be free of that ingredient. For example, if an employee uses a gloved hand to place peanut butter cookies on a serving tray, and then uses the same gloved hand to place sugar cookies on another tray, it could introduce the peanut allergen to the sugar cookies. Someone with a peanut allergy could have a life- threatening reaction even from that small bit of cross-contact.
Foodservice employees must take steps to prevent cross- contamination and cross-contact during all phases of food preparation and service. To prevent cross-contamination:
• Follow proper procedures for cleaning and sanitizing equipment and utensils.
• Observe handwashing practices and standards for glove use.
• As much as possible, isolate raw foods from ready-to-eat or prepared foods in all phases of the flow of food.
• Consider using distinct color cutting boards for distinct types of foods.
• When possible, prepare RTE foods before raw meats and allergenic foods.
• Develop plans for how to prepare food when a client has a food allergy.
Raw produce should be thoroughly washed before cutting or serving to prevent cross-contamination from soil or pesticides.
Cross-contamination can also occur due to naturally occurring contaminants on food, such as soil on raw fruits and vegetables. Pathogens like Salmonella or chemicals such as pesticides may be present on the outside surface of fruits and vegetables as well. These contaminants can be introduced when the produce is cut or placed on a cutting board. Raw produce should be thoroughly washed in water prior to being cut, combined with other ingredients, or served in a ready-to-eat form. This is required even if the produce is peeled prior to eating.