Studies performed by the Center for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment located in the Netherlands confirmed the role of cross-contamination in domestic foodborne infection.  The European Food Safety Agency determined that in 2018 half of outbreaks in the Netherlands that had a demonstrable source occurred within the home.  Cross-contamination was a significant factor contributing to foodborne outbreaks. 

Evaluation showed that pathogens could be transmitted from meat and poultry products to salads through contaminated cutting boards and knives in addition to unwashed hands.  The study developed a cross-contamination model to estimate the proportion of bacteria transferred from a contaminated source to uncooked ready to eat foods such as salads. The model indicated the value of effective decontamination of cutting boards, knives and kitchen work surfaces.