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
Milk collection and pump mechanisms are kept separate to prevent cross contamination.
—Kelsey Butler, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2024
However, the potential for cross contamination of raw and cooked food as well as the survival of pathogens from inadequate processing is high when products are made with raw milk.
—Juan Silva, Discover Magazine, 21 June 2024
Properly handling eggs—including avoiding cross contamination of any raw products with other foods—and cooking them at least until the yolks and whites are firm will further reduce any risk of infection.
—Alice Park, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
When rinsing chicken, bacteria such as salmonella can be transferred via the water to your kitchen surfaces, leading to potential cross contamination of other ingredients.
—Casey Barber, CNN, 13 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cross contamination 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kelsey Butler, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2024
However, the potential for cross contamination of raw and cooked food as well as the survival of pathogens from inadequate processing is high when products are made with raw milk.
—Juan Silva, Discover Magazine, 21 June 2024
Properly handling eggs—including avoiding cross contamination of any raw products with other foods—and cooking them at least until the yolks and whites are firm will further reduce any risk of infection.
—Alice Park, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
When rinsing chicken, bacteria such as salmonella can be transferred via the water to your kitchen surfaces, leading to potential cross contamination of other ingredients.
—Casey Barber, CNN, 13 Feb. 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 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share