AAA Food Manager Certification Practice Test

Which of the following is an example of potential cross contamination?

1. Cutting raw chicken and then slicing melon on the same cutting board

2. Filleting fish with a knife and then cutting chocolate cake with the same knife

3. Storing raw and ready-to-eat foods on the same shelf

4. All of these

The correct answer is: All of these

Potential cross-contamination occurs when harmful bacteria or allergens are transferred from one food item to another, resulting in food safety risks. Each scenario listed has the potential to introduce contaminants from one food item to another, leading to significant health risks. For instance, when cutting raw chicken and then slicing melon on the same cutting board, any bacteria present on the raw chicken can transfer to the melon, which is typically eaten raw. This poses a health hazard to consumers, as it can lead to foodborne illnesses. Similarly, using the same knife to fillet fish and then cut chocolate cake can also cause cross-contamination. The bacteria that may be present on the fish can easily be transferred to the cake, compromising the safety of that food product. Storing raw and ready-to-eat foods on the same shelf can lead to cross-contamination as well. If the raw food drips or spills, it can contaminate the ready-to-eat items, which are not subjected to any further cooking process that would eliminate potential pathogens. Because each example illustrates a scenario where cross-contamination can occur, it is correct to say that all of these situations represent potential risks that food managers must be aware of and mitigate in order to maintain food safety.