Which type of food must be kept separate from uncooked foods to prevent cross-contamination?

Ready-to-eat foods must be kept separate from uncooked foods to prevent cross-contamination because they are already prepared for consumption and require no further cooking. When ready-to-eat foods come into contact with raw foods, particularly raw meats, there's a high risk of transferring harmful pathogens, such as bacteria, which can lead to foodborne illnesses.

The key point is that ready-to-eat foods are consumed without additional cooking, which means that any pathogens present on uncooked meats or other raw ingredients can contaminate these foods, putting consumers at risk. Therefore, strict separation is essential in food safety practices to ensure ready-to-eat items remain safe for consumption, enhancing overall food safety in food handling environments.