To prevent cross-contamination, how should food be stored?

Storing food in a way that prevents cross-contamination is crucial for food safety. When ready-to-eat foods are placed above raw foods, it minimizes the risk of juices or contaminants from raw foods dripping onto items that will not be cooked before consumption. This practice helps ensure that any potential pathogens present in raw foods do not come into contact with food that is safe to eat without further cooking.

Additionally, keeping ready-to-eat foods above should be emphasized because these foods do not go through an additional cooking process that would eliminate pathogens. Therefore, proper storage by placing ready-to-eat items above raw foods directly supports food safety guidelines designed to protect consumers from foodborne illnesses.