What is cross-contamination?

Cross-contamination refers specifically to the transfer of harmful bacteria or allergens from one food item to another, which can lead to foodborne illnesses. This process can occur in various ways, such as using the same cutting board or utensils for raw meat and ready-to-eat foods without proper cleaning in between. Proper food safety practices, such as keeping raw and cooked foods separate and using designated equipment for each food type, are essential to prevent cross-contamination.

Understanding this concept is crucial for anyone involved in food preparation, as preventing cross-contamination is a key factor in ensuring food safety and protecting consumers' health. The other options do not accurately capture the essence of cross-contamination; for example, while mixing different food types, improper storage, and using expired ingredients are issues that can affect food safety, they do not specifically define the process of harmful bacteria transferring between food items.