How can staff prevent cross-contamination in food preparation for multiple children?

• A. Use separate utensils and surfaces, or clean and sanitize between tasks; wash hands between steps.
• B. Share utensils and surfaces to save time.
• C. Keep all utensils in a common drawer and wash at end of day.
• D. Use the same cutting board for raw meat and produce.

Answer: (A)

Preventing cross-contamination in food prep means stopping pathogen transfer between foods, hands, and surfaces. In a setting with multiple children, the safest approach is to use separate utensils and cutting boards or surfaces for different foods, and to clean and sanitize between tasks. Washing hands between steps is essential because even small amounts of bacteria on hands can move to foods, tools, or surfaces if not refreshed. This combination directly interrupts the chain of contamination, reducing the risk of illness for children.

Sharing utensils and surfaces, keeping all utensils in a common drawer, or using the same cutting board for raw meat and produce all increase the chance that harmful bacteria will spread from raw ingredients to ready-to-eat foods.