Cross-Contamination Prevention Flashcards

How can a server prevent cross-contamination when handling beverage glasses?

Answer: Carry glasses by the stem or base, never by the rim

Glasses should be carried by the stem or base to prevent hands from contaminating the rim area, which contacts the customer's mouth.

Why must ready-to-eat foods never be touched with bare hands?

Answer: Bare hands can transfer pathogens to food that will not be cooked again to destroy them

Bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat food is prohibited because these foods undergo no further cooking step that would destroy transferred pathogens.

What is allergen cross-contact?

Answer: When an allergen is accidentally transferred to a food that should not contain it

Allergen cross-contact occurs when a food allergen is unintentionally transferred to an allergen-free dish through shared equipment, surfaces, or splash.

A food handler wears the same gloves from the break room back to the food prep area. What is wrong?

Answer: The gloves were contaminated during the break and must be discarded and replaced

Gloves worn in non-food areas like break rooms are considered contaminated and must be discarded and replaced before resuming food handling.

What is the best way to prevent cross-contamination from employee personal items in a food service operation?

Answer: Keep all personal items in a designated area away from food prep zones

Personal items must be stored in a designated area away from food preparation and storage areas to eliminate the risk of them contacting food or food contact surfaces.

Which action prevents cross-contamination when using a food thermometer?

Answer: Clean and sanitize the thermometer probe between each individual use

Thermometer probes must be cleaned and sanitized between each use to prevent transferring pathogens from one food to another.