How can you ensure proper hygiene while handling food?

Ensuring proper hygiene while handling food is critical for preventing foodborne illnesses. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling food is an essential practice because it effectively removes dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants that can be transferred to food. Soap works by breaking down oils and dirt on your hands, and rinsing with water removes these unwanted substances, greatly reducing the risk of contaminating food.

This practice should be done not just after touching raw foods or when hands feel dirty, but consistently before any food handling to ensure a clean environment. Additionally, washing hands only when they feel dirty is not a reliable approach, as microorganisms can be present even when hands appear clean. Using sanitizer after washing hands can supplement handwashing but is not a substitute; thorough washing remains the primary method for ensuring cleanliness. Therefore, washing hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling food is the most effective way to maintain proper hygiene.