What personal protective equipment (PPE) should food handlers wear to prevent contamination?

The selection of gloves, hairnets, and aprons as personal protective equipment for food handlers is appropriate because each item serves a specific function in maintaining food safety and preventing contamination.

Gloves are crucial in protecting food from contamination that could occur from handling with bare hands, which can carry pathogens. They act as a barrier and should be replaced frequently to maintain hygiene. Hairnets are essential for preventing hair, which can also harbor bacteria, from falling into food or onto food prep surfaces. They help keep the environment clean. Aprons not only protect the clothing of food handlers from spills and stains but also act as an additional barrier against the transmission of contaminants from clothing to food.

In contrast, other provided options do not align as closely with the primary objectives of reducing food safety risks. While items like masks might be useful in some circumstances, they are not universally required for all food handling tasks. Socks and boots do not play a direct role in food contamination prevention, and elements like goggles are generally not necessary in most food handling settings. Overall, the combination of gloves, hairnets, and aprons effectively addresses the critical areas of contamination control in food safety.