What must food handlers do after touching their body or clothing?

After touching their body or clothing, food handlers must wash their hands to prevent the transfer of contaminants to food and food contact surfaces. This practice is essential for maintaining safe food handling and sanitation. The act of touching one's body or clothing can transfer bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can compromise food safety.

Washing hands with soap and water is the most effective way to remove these harmful substances. Hand sanitizer may not be as effective at removing certain types of contaminants, and simply changing gloves without washing hands does not eliminate the risk of cross-contamination, as pathogens can still be present on the skin or clothing. Therefore, washing hands is a critical step before returning to food preparation or handling tasks.