cross contamination
noun
variants
or cross-contamination
: inadvertent transfer of bacteria or other contaminants from one surface, substance, etc., to another especially because of unsanitary handling procedures
With raw eggs, as with raw chickens, it is important to avoid cross contamination. Use separate utensils—bowls, forks, knives, counter tops, and cutting boards—for raw chickens or eggs, and clean them thoroughly before reusing them for cooked foods.—
Phyllis C. Richman
Phyllis C. RichmanJim Steinhoff, a sanitarian and food inspector for the La Crosse County Health Department, said cross-contamination is the cause of the recent nationwide salmonella outbreak with peanut butter products.—Terry Rindfleisch
Terry Rindfleisch
cross-contaminate
transitive verb
cross-contaminated; cross-contaminating
"ARB [=antibiotic-resistant bacteria] are carried into the kitchen on contaminated meat and poultry, where other foods are cross-contaminated because of common unsafe handling practices."
—Jerome Groopman
Jerome Groopman
There's an ongoing debate about whether wood or plastic is more bacteria-resistant. But more important than the material of your cutting board is how you clean it. Don't cross-contaminate it by using an old sponge or less-than-pristine dishtowel.
—Natural Health
Natural Health
Examples of cross contamination in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The roller mop should come with a nice upgrade in scrubbing power alongside a reduction in cross contamination.
—Andrew Gebhart, PCMAG, 8 Jan. 2025
Avoiding rinsing: The CDC and USDA advise against rinsing chicken due to risk of cross contamination.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2025
Inspectors noted various health hazards including cross contamination, inadequate hand-washing practices by employees, expired food items and presence of roaches in the kitchen area.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Jan. 2025
The leading cause of food recalls are bacteria, foreign objects and allergens that are triggered when products are exposed to wheat, dairy and nuts, often due to cross contamination.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cross contamination 
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Andrew Gebhart, PCMAG, 8 Jan. 2025
Avoiding rinsing: The CDC and USDA advise against rinsing chicken due to risk of cross contamination.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2025
Inspectors noted various health hazards including cross contamination, inadequate hand-washing practices by employees, expired food items and presence of roaches in the kitchen area.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Jan. 2025
The leading cause of food recalls are bacteria, foreign objects and allergens that are triggered when products are exposed to wheat, dairy and nuts, often due to cross contamination.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cross contamination
Dictionary Entries Near cross contamination
Cite this Entry
“Cross contamination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross%20contamination. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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