Final answer:
Cross-contamination is the transfer of microbes from one food to another, often between raw meats and ready-to-eat items. Proper cleaning of utensils and surfaces is essential to prevent this. Environmental and processing factors can also introduce contaminants into food.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cross-contamination is the process by which microbes are transferred from one food to another. This often occurs when raw foods that commonly contain bacteria like Salmonella, such as eggs, poultry, and meats, come into contact with ready-to-eat foods like raw fruits, vegetables, or bread. Ensuring that utensils and surfaces like cutting boards and counter-tops are properly cleaned after being used to prepare contaminated foods is crucial to prevent cross-contamination.
Environmental factors and processing equipment also play a role in food contamination. Environmental contaminants may come from the physical contact of the food with its environment during growth, harvest, transport, storage, processing, and consumption. Additionally, food processing equipment can introduce contaminants such as metallic fragments, microorganisms, or other residual substances.
Ultimately, the aim is to safeguard the food from becoming contaminated by implementing proper hygiene practices in food handling and preparation, and by taking preventative measures against environmental and processing contaminants.