What should food handlers do before handling food?

Food handlers should wash their hands thoroughly before handling food to ensure that they remove any potential contaminants, pathogens, or residues that could lead to foodborne illness. Proper handwashing is a fundamental practice in food safety as it significantly reduces the risk of transferring harmful microorganisms to food products. This includes washing hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, ensuring that all areas of the hands, including between fingers and under nails, are cleaned properly.

While using hand sanitizer can be helpful in situations where soap and water are unavailable, it is not a substitute for washing hands. Hand sanitizer may not effectively remove all types of germs, especially when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. Wearing gloves can also be essential when handling food, but it is important to note that gloves can become contaminated just like hands; therefore, washing hands beforehand is still necessary. Using a clean towel is typically not a primary method for hand hygiene; it may help in drying hands after washing but does not replace the need for proper handwashing.