 Separate. This is an international food safety icon about proper food separation. This symbol appears when a specific food safety message about proper food separation is being described. Cross-contamination is how germs or objects can be spread to food. Germs can be spread to food from workers' clothing, coughs or sneezes, and hands. Germs can also be spread from raw poultry, raw meat, eggs and raw seafood to ready-to-eat foods. Germs that are spread to food can result in foodborne illnesses. Stop the spread of germs by washing hands often and wearing clean clothes. Cover your sneezes and coughs and wash hands after sneezing or coughing. Keep raw meat, including poultry, seafood, eggs, away from ready-to-eat foods. Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs. Use a clean plate. Use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry and seafood. Physical objects can also make their way into food. Some physical objects include bandages, hair and jewelry. Remove rings, bracelets and other jewelry before starting work. Pull hair back and wear a hat or a hair restraint while working around food. Wear gloves over bandages and inspect food for foreign objects before serving. Always start with a clean work area. Wash hands with warm water and soap. Wash cutting boards, dishes, countertops and utensils with hot, soapy water. Keep your customers safe. Keep raw meat, poultry, eggs and seafood away from ready-to-eat foods. And, wash hands often. Inspect food before serving. Wear clean clothes.