Cross-Contamination means the transfer of harmful substances or disease-causing microorganisms to food by hands, food-contact surfaces, sponges, cloth towels, and utensils that touch raw food and are not cleaned, and then touch ready-to-eat foods. Cross-contamination can also occur when raw food touches or drips onto cooked or ready-to-eat foods. Cross-Contamination is a leading cause of food-borne illness. The FDA has very stick rules and regulations concerning this.