Cross-contamination spreads bacteria. Take care to not cross contaminate. When handling raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs, keep raw foods and juices away from fresh food and cooked foods.
Cross-contamination occurs when two or more different types of food touch including the surfaces they touch or come in contact with.
For example, raw chicken contains bacteria that is safe when cooked. If raw chicken (or the surface the raw chicken rested on) comes in contact with other foods such as fruits and vegetables, then the bacteria can cross over, contaminate and live on these fruits and vegetables.
This provides a health hazard for anyone who eats food that has been cross contaminated with the bacteria.
Bacteria spreads quickly throughout the kitchen when on hands, cutting boards, utensils, counter tops, and food.
Always start with a clean kitchen.
Wash hands with warm water and anti-bacterial soap at least 20 seconds before and after handling food.
Wash cutting boards, dishes, counter tops, and utensils with hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before you go on to the next food.
Use paper towels to clean up kitchen surfaces. If you use cloth towels wash them often in the hot cycle of your washing machine.
Keep kitchen sponges clean by washing and then putting them in the microwave for 2 minutes.
Spritz counters and surfaces often with antibacterial kitchen cleaner. You can make your own and save by filling an empty spray bottle with 1 cup water to 1 tablespoon bleach.
Keep books, backpacks, purses, computers and shopping bags off the kitchen table or counters where food is prepared or served.
7 Kitchen Tips
-- 1. For cleaning smelly hands after chopping onions or garlic, rub them on a stainless steel spoon. The steel is supposed to absorb the odor.
-- 2. Before you chop chili peppers, rub a little vegetable oil into your hands and your skin won’t absorb the spicy chili oil.
-- 3. To clean cast iron cookware, don’t use detergents, scrub them with salt and a clean, dry paper towel.
-- 4. When defrosting meat from the freezer, pour some vinegar over it. Not only does it tenderize the meat; it will also bring down the freezing temperature of the meat and cause it to thaw quicker.
-- 5. Baking soda is an extremely effective cleaner. Use it with vinegar to deodorize drains and clean stovetops and sinks.
-- 6. If your loaf of bread is starting to go stale, just put a piece of fresh celery in the bag and close it back up. For some reason, this restores a fresh taste and texture to the bread.
-- 7. Remove tea or coffee stains from your fine china by mixing up a paste of baking soda, lemon juice, and cream of tartar. Rub it over the stains and they’ll come off easily.