What food safety practice can effectively prevent cross-contact?

The correct answer focuses on the importance of maintaining cleanliness and ensuring that utensils are free from allergens and contaminants during food preparation. Washing, rinsing, and sanitizing utensils before each use is a fundamental practice in food safety that helps prevent cross-contact, especially for individuals with food allergies or intolerances. This method reduces the risk of allergens transferring from one food item to another, which is critical for maintaining safe food handling and protecting the health of sensitive customers.

Other practices, while beneficial in their own right, do not specifically target the prevention of cross-contact in the same direct manner. For instance, using disposable plates may reduce the risk of certain types of contamination but does not address the risk of allergen transfer through utensils. Similarly, keeping certain foods separate is crucial for preventing cross-contact, but it is contingent upon the use of clean utensils to ensure that no cross-contact occurs during preparation. Cooking food at higher temperatures can kill pathogens but does not prevent the transfer of allergens or contaminants if the utensils used are not properly cleaned. This highlights the significance of the cleaning and sanitizing process as a targeted measure to prevent cross-contact effectively.