What is the most effective action after handling raw meat to prevent contamination of other foods?

• A. Open the fridge and put meat away
• B. Wipe surfaces with a dry cloth
• C. Move to another room
• D. Wash hands thoroughly

Answer: (D)

The key idea is preventing cross-contamination at its source. After handling raw meat, your hands can carry bacteria that could transfer to ready-to-eat foods, utensils, or other surfaces. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and warm water removes most of these bacteria, especially when you scrub for about 20 seconds and clean under the nails before drying with a clean towel. This direct action stops the transfer before it happens.

Opening the fridge is a good practice for safety, but it doesn’t address the bacteria already on your hands. Wiping surfaces with a dry cloth can actually spread bacteria to other areas, not remove it. Moving to another room doesn’t reduce the risk of transferring contaminants. So washing hands thoroughly is the most effective immediate step.