When handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs, what should you ensure?

Ensuring that raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs are kept separate from ready-to-eat foods is crucial in preventing cross-contamination in food safety. This separation helps to protect vulnerable ready-to-eat foods from potentially harmful pathogens that can be present on raw animal products. For example, if juices from raw meat come into contact with vegetables or other foods that won’t be cooked before consumption, it could transfer bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli, leading to foodborne illnesses.

The safety protocols in food handling emphasize maintaining this separation during storage, preparation, and cooking to mitigate the risk of contamination. This practice is critical in both home kitchens and food service settings to uphold public health standards.