What should food handlers do before preparing food?

Before preparing food, food handlers should wash their hands and arms thoroughly. This practice is essential for ensuring that any contaminants, such as bacteria, dirt, or residues from previous activities, are removed from the skin. Proper handwashing involves using soap and water, scrubbing all parts of the hands and arms for at least 20 seconds, and then rinsing thoroughly. This step significantly reduces the risk of foodborne illness by preventing the transfer of harmful pathogens to the food.

While putting on gloves, rinsing hands with water, or using hand sanitizer can be part of food safety practices, they do not replace the critical step of thorough handwashing. Gloves can become contaminated if not used properly, rinsing with water alone does not effectively remove contaminants, and hand sanitizer is not a substitute for washing hands with soap and water. Therefore, washing hands and arms thoroughly is the most effective way to prepare for food handling.