Cross contamination

cross contamination

Surely you have ever heard of the cross contamination. It is a way of referring to bacteria that go from one surface to another either by direct or indirect contact. For example, they can pass from one food to another, from a utensil, from the surface of a food, from our body, etc. This cross contamination can be a problem for us to get the virus and bacteria and is usually one of the main serious problems of reaction to people with celiac disease.

In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about cross contamination and how you should avoid it.

What is cross contamination

cross contamination in food

We are not only referring to bacteria, but also to viruses, toxins or substances in a cleaning product. Cross contamination can also be considered when contacting foods that are not dangerous but are for a specific group. For example, it is very common gluten contamination of some foods that are for celiacs. You can also find some people with food allergies who are victims of cross contamination. The allergens in the food you eat are quite dangerous. Consuming a food that has been contaminated can lead to food poisoning.

Health risks

dirty utensils

The health risks of food cross contamination are particularly dangerous when eating raw food. Also, if food cooks well after being contaminated, there is no reason to worry.

The problem starts when food is eaten raw and there is no possibility of killing the microorganisms that inhabit it.

Eating cross-contaminated food can have effects similar to food allergies. People contaminated with this microorganism can experience reactions similar to those who are allergic to kiwi or peanuts. Therefore, the ingestion of cross-contaminated food it can cause inflammation and even hives.

Cross contamination is one of the most common causes of food poisoning. Therefore, cross contamination can also produce effects similar to other gastroenteritis (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, etc.). Depending on the health of the intoxicated person, the reaction to poisoning can be more severe and lead to hospitalization. The risk groups affected by cross-contamination in this way are the elderly, children, patients and pregnant women.

How to avoid cross contamination

avoid food contamination

There are numerous practices that serve to reduce or avoid cross contamination. The first of all we must do is always try to separate raw food from those that are cooked cooked. We must not allow these foods to come into contact to always ensure that the blood of the red meat does not touch any other food.

It is interesting the base always hands with soap and water before starting to cook. Take special care when you have gone to the toilet before to eliminate the bacteria that may have remained on our hands. The fridge and its order is important. You must bear in mind that it is interesting to classify foods in the fridge and separate those that can put others at risk. Put meat, fish and poultry in different drawers or bags. We must not allow them to come into contact with the rest of the food that we keep in the fridge.

We will always keep raw meat in hermetically sealed containers so that blood does not drip and does not come into direct contact with other food that could contaminate it. Also, if you can use these containers with a clean rag aluminum foil, that is much better. If you are going to handle food, it is preferable to use different utensils to treat different foods. We can also clean the utensils in depth before putting it in contact with other types of food if you do not want to have to buy different utensils so much.

It is important to keep all containers and utensils clean before use. When cleaning, it is not enough to wipe dirty utensils with a cloth, they must be cleaned with hot water or even detergent.

When serving foods such as fried eggs or poached eggs, try to remove residue from raw eggs. Eggs are a food that transmits a lot of cross contamination, so it is advisable to take extreme precautions against them.

If the cloth is dirty with raw food residue, replace it. Assemble the salad at the last minute and refrigerate the ingredients properly until you do. Sanitize your kitchen regularly and don't settle for cleaning up raw food residue. Clean the kitchen with hot water and detergent to ensure that all food residues that can cause cross contamination are removed.

When cross contamination occurs

Cross contamination takes place in many everyday situations in our home. Let's see what the main scenarios are for it to take place:

  • When food handlers' hands are not clean.
  • If utensils and surfaces are not cleaned after completing a process (for example, when the mincer is not cleaned well before cutting other foods).
  • When insects or rodents come into contact with food.
  • When raw products come into contact with cooked or ready-to-eat products.
  • If the packed product is stored without a lid.

This contamination of the food in question takes place in two processes. One is during food preparation and the other is during storage. During the food preparation process, food can become contaminated with dirty hands, utensils, and equipment. Not only that, but bad habits like smoking, chewing gum, and eating in or near food preparation facilities can also release substances that can get into food and cause cross-contamination.

If not stored separately, bacteria in raw foods can contaminate cooked or prepared ready-to-eat foods, as well as raw foods that are different from each other, such as meat and fish. Ideally, they should be stored in different refrigerators and freezers, but they can also be stored in different parts of the same refrigerator. In this case, raw food should enter from the lowest part to prevent the dripping liquid from causing contamination.

Generally speaking, food should always be stored in washable containers made of non-toxic materials and covered or covered with plastic wrap.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about cross contamination and how to avoid it.


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