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

Yongzeng Wang, the facilities director, told me that technicians wear hazmat suits and handle only one patient’s cells at a time, to avoid cross contamination. —Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026

Place meat and poultry to one side of the freezer or on a tray to prevent cross contamination of thawing juices. —Gail Ciampa, The Providence Journal, 23 Feb. 2026

Recent studies recommend avoiding cross contamination in the other direction. —Jorge Garay, Wired News, 6 Feb. 2026

Keep raw seafood and meat separate from cooked and ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross contamination. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 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