PREVRA Cutting Board Colour Chart: Prevent Cross-Contamination with Colour Coding
A quick-reference colour chart for your kitchen team showing which cutting board to use for each food type. Simple visual system that supports SFBB and HACCP cross-contamination controls.
Why cutting board colour coding is a first-line defence against contamination
Colour coding cutting boards creates an instant visual check that the right board is being used for the right food. When an EHO walks through your kitchen, they will look for this system. A red board being used for salad preparation is an immediate red flag that signals systemic training gaps.
What many kitchen teams do not realise is that board material matters as much as colour. High-density polyethylene boards develop knife scores over time that trap bacteria even after thorough cleaning. Wooden boards, counter-intuitively, can be more hygienic than scarred plastic because wood has natural antimicrobial properties and bacteria sink below the surface where they die off. Regardless of material, deeply scored boards must be replaced or resurfaced.
Making colour coding stick in a busy kitchen environment
Print this chart and mount it at every prep station. Store boards in colour-coded racks so the system is obvious to every team member including agency staff. During shift handovers, the incoming team should verify that boards are in the correct positions and in acceptable condition.
Colour coding works best when combined with a cleaning verification system. Digital SFBB allows you to schedule board inspection and replacement tasks alongside your regular cleaning schedule, creating a complete audit trail. See also our Chopping Board Colour Chart for the full six-colour system and Cleaning Schedule Template.
Prevra · Early access
Prevra is building a digital SFBB app.
The app is not ready yet. See the planned features and contact us about early access.
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