Which practice could cause cross-contact with one of the eight major food allergens?

Which practice could cause cross-contact with one of the eight major food allergens?

• A. Cooking salmon and beef on the same grill
• B. Washing fresh herbs under running water
• C. Using gloves when handling raw vegetables
• D. Storing dairy above produce

Answer: (A)

Cross-contact happens when allergen proteins transfer from one food or surface to another, often through shared equipment. On a grill, cooking salmon on the same surface as beef means fish proteins can leave residues on the grates and then transfer to the beef during cooking. Those proteins may trigger an allergic reaction in someone sensitive, even if the beef itself doesn’t contain fish. Cleaning and sanitizing between uses or using separate cooking surfaces prevents this kind of direct transfer. Washing fresh herbs under running water is a cleaning step that helps remove surface contaminants rather than create transfer between foods. Using gloves when handling raw vegetables is a protective practice that reduces the chance of transferring allergens or pathogens. Storing dairy above produce can pose a risk if dairy leaks or drips onto the produce, but the most immediate and common cross-contact risk is from shared cooking surfaces like a grill used for allergen-containing foods.

Cross-contact happens when allergen proteins transfer from one food or surface to another, often through shared equipment. On a grill, cooking salmon on the same surface as beef means fish proteins can leave residues on the grates and then transfer to the beef during cooking. Those proteins may trigger an allergic reaction in someone sensitive, even if the beef itself doesn’t contain fish. Cleaning and sanitizing between uses or using separate cooking surfaces prevents this kind of direct transfer.

Washing fresh herbs under running water is a cleaning step that helps remove surface contaminants rather than create transfer between foods. Using gloves when handling raw vegetables is a protective practice that reduces the chance of transferring allergens or pathogens. Storing dairy above produce can pose a risk if dairy leaks or drips onto the produce, but the most immediate and common cross-contact risk is from shared cooking surfaces like a grill used for allergen-containing foods.