What is safe practice for handling raw chicken and ready-to-eat foods?

• A. Mix raw chicken with ready-to-eat foods to save time.
• B. Use the same cutting board for raw and ready-to-eat.
• C. Store raw chicken next to ready-to-eat foods.
• D. Use separate equipment and color-coded prep areas; wash hands frequently; sanitize surfaces; avoid cross-contamination.

Answer: (D)

Preventing cross-contamination between raw poultry and ready-to-eat foods is essential in safe food handling. The best practice combines using separate equipment and color-coded prep areas for raw versus ready-to-eat items, washing hands frequently, and sanitizing surfaces after contact with raw poultry, all while avoiding any transfer between foods. Mixing raw chicken with ready-to-eat foods can transfer bacteria directly to foods that aren’t going to be cooked, increasing illness risk. Using the same cutting board for both raw and ready-to-eat items can move bacteria from the raw meat onto foods you’ll eat without further cooking. Storing raw chicken next to ready-to-eat foods also allows juices or contaminants to reach those foods. By keeping separate tools, maintaining distinct prep areas, washing hands often, and sanitizing surfaces, you build effective barriers against contamination.