Hey there, foodies! I know how exciting it is to dine in the cafeteria with your friends during lunchtime, but it’s important we discuss something that gets overlooked too many times - cross-contamination. Cross-contamination is the transfer of bacteria or allergens from one food to another, which occurs when equipment, surfaces, or hands are not properly sanitized or handled. By understanding the risks of cross-contamination and taking precautions, we can protect all students at school. In this blog, I’ll share practical and actionable tips to help ensure that your school cafeteria is a safe and healthy space for everyone.

Use the appropriate kitchen equipment 🍴

Did you know that using the wrong kitchen equipment can lead to cross-contamination? For example, using the same cutting board for different foods can transfer bacteria from raw meat to fruits and vegetables. Using separate cutting boards, utensils, and tools for each type of food can help prevent cross-contamination. Make sure your school cafeteria is equipped with different-colored cutting boards and utensils to help identify which equipment is used for which food.

A picture of different color-coded boards (red for meat, green for veggies, blue for fish, yellow for poultry).

Sanitize surfaces and equipment frequently 🧼

Another way to prevent cross-contamination is to keep the surfaces and equipment used for food preparation clean. School staff should sanitize all surfaces, utensils, and equipment before and after use. Encourage the cafeteria staff to clean as they go to keep the area clean and avoid a backlog of dirty dishes and equipment.

A photo of a cafeteria worker wiping down the surfaces with a disinfectant solution.

Proper handwashing procedures 🙌

Cafeteria staff and students should take extra care when washing their hands to prevent the spread of bacteria or allergens. Hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water before and after handling food. Cafeteria staff should also make sure that students have access to handwashing stations and that they are regularly stocked with soap and towels.

A picture of a cartoon girl wearing a mask, lathering soap in her hands, and washing them under running water for the recommended 20 seconds.

Food storage 🍛

Storing food properly can also help prevent cross-contamination. Raw meat, poultry, and seafood should always be stored separately from ready-to-eat foods like fruits and vegetables. The cafeteria staff should also store food at the right temperature to keep bacteria from growing. If you’re concerned about the freshness of the food, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

A photo of a fridge with separate sections labeled for raw meats, dairy, fruits and vegetables, and cooked food.

Food allergy awareness 🚫🥜

For those with food allergies, even a small amount of cross-contamination can have serious consequences. It’s essential that the cafeteria staff is aware of any food allergies and takes the necessary precautions to prevent cross-contamination. This could include using separate utensils, equipment, and cookware. It’s important that students with food allergies feel safe and confident dining in the cafeteria.

A picture of a sign near the food counter alerting students to inform cafeteria staff of any allergies.

With these tips in mind, we can all take small steps to keep our school cafeterias safe and healthy for everyone. Don’t hesitate to speak up if you notice any food safety issues in your school cafeteria. Remember, good food hygiene is everyone’s responsibility.

🍴 🧼 🙌 🍛 🚫🥜