What can happen if food handlers do not maintain personal cleanliness?

When food handlers do not maintain personal cleanliness, they increase the risk of contaminating food. Poor hygiene practices can allow harmful bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens to transfer from the handler to the food, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses. These illnesses can have serious health consequences for consumers and can result in outbreaks that require health inspections, recalls, and damage to the establishment’s reputation. Maintaining personal cleanliness, including regular handwashing and proper grooming, is essential to safeguarding food safety and ensuring that food served to customers is safe to eat.