What should food handlers do before preparing food?

Before preparing food, food handlers should wash their hands with soap and water. This step is crucial in ensuring food safety as it effectively removes dirt, bacteria, and viruses that may be present on the skin. Proper handwashing involves using warm water and soap to create a lather, scrubbing all parts of the hands and wrists for at least 20 seconds, and rinsing thoroughly before drying with a clean towel or air dryer. This practice helps prevent the contamination of food, which can lead to foodborne illnesses.

The effectiveness of handwashing far exceeds that of simply wiping hands on a towel, which may not remove harmful pathogens. While hand sanitizer can be useful in maintaining cleanliness, it does not eliminate all types of germs and is not a substitute for thorough handwashing before food preparation. Additionally, wearing gloves without prior handwashing does not ensure safety, as contaminants can transfer from unwashed hands to the gloves before they are put on. Thus, washing hands with soap and water is the most reliable method for safeguarding food preparation.