Don’t Cross–Contaminate

Foods such as raw meat, raw poultry, raw fish, and raw eggs may have harmful bacteria. It is important that bacteria in these foods don’t spread to other foods. Here’s how to prevent cross-contamination:

• Separate raw meat, raw poultry, and raw seafood from other foods in your shopping cart and in your refrigerator.
• Use one cutting board for raw meat, raw poultry, and raw seafood. Use a different one for vegetables.

  View the short video clip about cross-contamination.

• Always wash hands, cutting boards, dishes, and utensils with hot soapy water after they come in contact with raw meat, raw poultry, raw seafood, or raw eggs.
• Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, raw poultry, raw seafood, or raw eggs.

  View the short video clip about the importance of using clean plates. (This video clip does not contain audio.)

	A Helpful Hint To prevent the spread of bacteria from raw foods, store them on a plate on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator. This helps prevent juices from dripping on other foods like fruits and vegetables. View the short video clip about where to defrost meats.