Can handling raw sausage and touching pancakes contaminants?

Handling raw sausage and touching pancakes without washing your hands in between can indeed lead to cross-contamination. Cross-contamination occurs when harmful bacteria from one food source are transferred to another food source, potentially causing foodborne illness.

Raw sausage, especially pork sausage, can carry harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. When handling raw sausage, it's crucial to follow proper food safety practices, including thorough handwashing. If you touch pancakes or any other ready-to-eat food after handling raw sausage without washing your hands, you risk transferring these bacteria to the pancakes, potentially contaminating them.

To prevent cross-contamination, always wash your hands before and after handling raw meat or poultry, and avoid touching other foods or surfaces with unwashed hands. It's also essential to keep raw meat and poultry separate from other foods during preparation, cooking, and storage. By following these basic food safety guidelines, you can help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.