cross contamination

\ 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

"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 Continuing the cross contamination of ideas is very important. — S. Mitra Kalita, Fortune, "5 ways the post-pandemic office will look very different," 9 Dec. 2020 In addition to wearing face masks and wrapping candy in grab bags to avoid cross contamination, health officials say that sanitizing high-touch surfaces throughout the night (like hand rails) is important. — Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, "The Real Reason Families Are Displaying Purple Pumpkins This Halloween," 23 Oct. 2020 The packs included items to help maintain sanitary environments within the classrooms in order to eliminate cross contamination due to the COVID-19 virus. — NOLA.com, "Vintner dinners, a sunset concert, pumpkin patches, golf and shooting tourneys on tap," 12 Oct. 2020 All supplies will be single-use, to avoid cross contamination. — courant.com, "Community News For The Colchester Edition," 4 Sep. 2020 Each child will have one at home and one at school to limit cross contamination. — Stephanie Becker, CNN, "A California superintendent has a plan to bring students back to the classroom -- but not their teachers," 18 Aug. 2020 Current guidelines recommend that all medical personnel should change PPE in between patients to minimize risk of cross contamination. — Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, "Is It Safe to Visit the Dentist? How Dentist Offices Are Reducing COVID-19 Risks," 8 June 2020 Others offer gluten-free options while warning customers that their kitchen runs the risk of cross contamination. — Dallas News, "Searching for gluten-free grub? Here are five spots in Garland," 6 July 2020 Watching people wear masks has been a bit of a joke with them either wearing them inappropriately or (constantly) adjusting, which causes cross contamination. — USA TODAY, "Tattoos, masks, telemedicine, Yellowstone: News from around our 50 states," 23 June 2020

These 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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Last Updated

18 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Cross contamination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross%20contamination. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.