Clean & Separate
Keeping Food Safe At Home

Bacteria can be spread throughout the kitchen and get onto hands, cutting boards, utensils, counter tops and food. Cross-contamination is how bacteria can be spread. Always start with a clean scene -- wash hands with warm water and soap. Wash cutting boards, dishes, countertops and utensils with hot soapy water.

• Hand Hygiene
  Proper hand hygiene may eliminate nearly half of all cases of foodborne illness and significantly reduce the spread of the common cold and flu.
  Soap and Water | Hand Sanitizer | Choosing and Using Soap | Why and When | Teaching Hand Hygiene | For Schools and Child Care | For Food Handlers | For Health Care Professionals | Posters and Print Materials
  
  
  
• Prevent Cross Contamination
  Cross-contamination is the physical movement or transfer of harmful bacteria from one person, object or place to another.
  
  
• Don't Wash Your Chicken!
  Washing chicken, even with a slow stream of water, can cause dangerous germs to splash from the raw meat onto other surfaces. These germs can then get onto other foods, like lettuce, that will not be cooked to kill germs before eating. Cooking meats to the recommended safe temperature will kill all germs present; meats do not need to be washed.
  
  
• Don't Prepare Food If You are Ill
  Don't be a source of foodborne illness. Pathogens can be introduced into food from infected humans who handle the food without thoroughly washing their hands after going to the bathroom.