Food Contamination To avoid contaminating foods and spreading bacteria: •Wash hands in hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before preparing and after handling food products. •Avoid scratching your head, rubbing your eyes, wiping your nose or licking your fingers while preparing food. •Wash cutting boards, knives, utensils, and counter tops in hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before proceeding to another. •Use non-porous (i.e. plastic) cutting boards. After use, cutting boards should be washed in hot soapy water. •Each time you run the dishwasher, place your sponge or scouring pad in it to prevent bacterial growth. •Use long handled utensils for serving foods. •Use disposable paper towels to clean kitchen surfaces, especially meat juices. If using cloth towels, wash them often in hot soapy water. •Keep food covered.