Understanding the many effects of foodborne infections has been incredibly eye-opening and motivated me to wash my food much more thoroughly. I recall seeing a video of a little child who was rendered permanently disabled as a result of a restaurant salad. Knowing something like salad, which is simply not washed correctly, has the possibility of causing such harm still irks me today.
Cross contamination is awful, and I now know the health risks it may bring, so the best course of action is to simply color-coordinate cutting boards and take easy precautions to prevent it.
I have learned during this course that it's always the little things that can have a big influence on safety. I am aware that all of these precautions go a long way toward preventing even the tiniest problems, whether it be holding the knife properly while moving around, maintaining particular food temperatures, or tying back one's hair.