Which practice is essential for safe food handling in a kitchen?

Regularly washing hands before food handling is essential for safe food handling practices because it significantly reduces the risk of contaminating food with harmful pathogens that can lead to foodborne illnesses. The hands are often the main vehicle for transferring bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from surfaces to food or from one food item to another. Proper handwashing techniques, including using soap and clean water, scrubbing all parts of the hands for at least 20 seconds, and drying with a clean towel or air dryer, are crucial steps in maintaining food safety.

Although wearing gloves can be an important practice, it is not a substitute for handwashing. Gloves may become contaminated themselves, and if they are not changed regularly or after certain tasks, they can still pose a risk. Cooking without gloves and washing dishes only after cooking do not address the importance of preventing cross-contamination, which is crucial for food safety. Therefore, handwashing remains a fundamental practice in any kitchen setting to ensure the health and safety of food being prepared.