Cross-contactand environmental exposure are often cited as top concerns for families managing food allergies. Cross-contact can occur through incidental contact with utensils, pots and pans, and preparation surfaces. Environmental exposure can occur through contamination of surfaces and are widely thought to occur through inhalation of allergen. This is a particular concern at school and on airplanes. The good news is that allergens can be readily cleaned from hands and body parts, cookware and utensils, and environmental surfaces. Following are helpful tips to prevent environmental contamination: For washing hands or face, use warm/hot, soapy water or a commercial “tidy” wipe.Hand sanitizing gel is not sufficient to remove allergens.This is important in the healthcare setting, as most healthcare facilities have moved to near-exclusive use of hand sanitizing gels for infectious purposes.How To Prevent Cross-Contact and Accidental Environmental Exposure
Additional ways to avoid cross-contact when dining out and ordering food: