What does cross-contamination refer to?

Cross-contamination is the process where harmful bacteria or pathogens are transferred from one food item or surface to another, which can lead to foodborne illnesses. This often occurs when raw foods, such as meats, come into contact with cooked foods or surfaces that have not been properly sanitized. Understanding cross-contamination is crucial in food safety as it emphasizes the importance of maintaining cleanliness and proper storage techniques in food preparation environments. By preventing cross-contamination, food service workers can help ensure that food served to customers is safe to eat.

The other options do not accurately convey the concept of cross-contamination. Transferring heat relates more to cooking practices, the mixing of different food types does not inherently present a safety issue, and the combining of raw and cooked foods could lead to cross-contamination but does not define it.