Ace the Ontario Food Handler Certification 2025 – Serve Up Success!

Washing hands thoroughly is a vital personal hygiene practice before handling food because it effectively removes dirt, bacteria, and viruses that may be present on the hands. The hands are the most common means of transferring pathogens to food, and good hand hygiene significantly reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses. Thorough handwashing involves scrubbing all parts of the hands, including between the fingers and under the nails, with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. This process is crucial in maintaining food safety and ensuring that the food prepared is not contaminated.

While wearing gloves can provide a layer of protection, it does not substitute for proper handwashing. If hands are not clean before putting on gloves, those contaminants can still be transferred to the food. Using hand sanitizer can be helpful in situations where soap and water are not available but is generally considered less effective than washing hands thoroughly. Brushing teeth, though important for overall hygiene, does not contribute directly to food safety in terms of preventing contamination from hands.