cross-contaminate transitive verb cross-contaminated; cross-contaminating
"ARB [=antibiotic-resistant bacteria] are carried into the kitchen on contaminated meat and poultry, where other foods are cross-contaminated because of common unsafe handling practices." Jerome Groopman There's an ongoing debate about whether wood or plastic is more bacteria-resistant. But more important than the material of your cutting board is how you clean it. Don't cross-contaminate it by using an old sponge or less-than-pristine dishtowel. Natural Health