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\ ˈkrȯs-kən-ˌta-mə-ˈnā-shən 
\
\variants:
or cross-contamination
Definition of 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 Jim 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
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Other Words from cross contamination
cross-contaminate \ ˈkrȯs-kən-ˈta-mə-ˌnāt \ transitive verb cross-contaminated; cross-contaminating
\ 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
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
Examples of cross contamination in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web Also consider using paper towels instead of dish towels to prevent any cross contamination when drying your hands.
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ExpressNews.com, "5 grilling tips for safe eating watching the holidays’ big football games," 22 Nov. 2019 Caution to vegetarians and vegans: Burger King’s impossible whopper is cooked on the same broiler as the beef patties so there’s cross contamination!
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Sarah Min, CBS News, "Vegan sues Burger King, claims Impossible Whoppers "contaminated"," 18 Nov. 2019 Bacteria build up can occur that is harmful to your skin and can and will contaminate your makeup from the cross contamination.
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Gianluca Russo, Teen Vogue, "The Best Tricks to Clean Your Makeup Brushes After Halloween," 31 Oct. 2019 This also helps avoid cross contamination if your meat happens to leak.
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Nicole Papantoniou, Good Housekeeping, "How to Make Sure Your Refrigerator Is Actually at a Safe Temperature," 29 July 2019 Vitality was founded by Roy Gilad and his wife, Tara, in San Ramon, Calif., when their daughter’s severe peanut allergy motivated them to create a business with a kitchen free of cross contamination.
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Kelly Wei, Dallas News, "When did açai bowls become all the rage, and where should you go in D-FW to find them? Curious Texas explores," 9 Aug. 2019 Keep these raw items away from other foods in your fridge to avoid potential cross contamination.
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Samantha Cassetty, NBC News, "How to keep your food safe no matter where you are," 9 Aug. 2019 To avoid cross contamination from real pork, Dunkin’ says the Beyond Meat sandwich will be cooked separately on individual pieces of paper.
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Deena Shanker, BostonGlobe.com, "Dunkin’ is now selling a meat-alternative breakfast sandwich at some stores," 24 July 2019 To avoid cross contamination from real pork, Dunkin’ says the Beyond Meat sandwich will be cooked separately on individual pieces of paper.
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Los Angeles Times, "Beyond Meat will offer a new Dunkin’ sandwich," 24 July 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cross contamination.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for cross contamination
The first known use of cross contamination was in 1898
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