cross contamination

noun

ˈkrȯs-kən-ˌta-mə-ˈnā-shən 

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

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

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

Also, ask about food preparation techniques to ensure cross contamination isn’t a concern. —Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 12 June 2025

Raw and cooked shrimp were stored inside the same container inside the reach-in cooler, leading to cross contamination. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025

Nowadays, the industry mostly uses organic acids to reduce cross contamination, primarily peracetic, or peroxyacetic acid, which is essentially a mixture of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. —Will Stone, NPR, 15 Apr. 2025

According to Shake Shack’s website, there may be risk for cross contamination at certain locations that share one fryer. —Samantha Husted, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cross contamination

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization