cross contamination

noun

\ 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

Other Words from cross contamination More Example Sentences Learn More About cross contamination

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 Ross notes that the design is still at a nascent stage and that many technical challenges remain, such as preventing cross contamination between layers of raw and cooked meat. — Huanjia Zhang, Scientific American, 21 Dec. 2021 Like Sift, Open Food Facts does not specifically call out potential areas of cross contamination. — Debi Lewis, Wired, 24 Nov. 2021 The whole theory of the case here for the Tokyo officials is to keep the Tokyo public separate, and the Olympic public in a bubble so that there wouldn't be cross contamination. — Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 27 July 2021 The plant’s problems embroiled the contractor and Johnson & Johnson in chaos after an FDA inspection shed light on cross contamination and procedural errors happening routinely inside the facility. — Hallie Miller, baltimoresun.com, 9 Sep. 2021 While healthcare professionals across the nation are reusing N95 respirators and medical masks due to low supplies, they're highly trained in best practices to keep risk of cross contamination low, disinfecting them after each shift. — Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 10 June 2020 The zoo will offer compostable cups at each station in an effort to reduce cross contamination. — Megan Becka, cleveland, 9 June 2021 Place meat and poultry to one side of the freezer or on a tray to prevent cross contamination from thawing juices. — Erin Booke, Dallas News, 15 Feb. 2021 Continuing the cross contamination of ideas is very important. — S. Mitra Kalita, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2020 See More

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.

Learn More About cross contamination

Dictionary Entries Near cross contamination

cross-connection

cross contamination

cross correspondence

Statistics for cross contamination

Cite this Entry

“Cross contamination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross%20contamination. Accessed 18 May. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA