What hygiene practice is emphasized before handling food or drink?

What hygiene practice is emphasized before handling food or drink?

• A. Always wash your hands.
• B. Wipe with a paper towel.
• C. Sanitize with gloves only.
• D. Rinse with water only.

Answer: (A)

Hand hygiene is the first line of defense in preventing contamination when handling food or drink. Washing hands with soap and water thoroughly removes dirt, oils, and a wide range of microbes, and the act of scrubbing helps loosen what’s on the skin so it can be rinsed away. This is more effective than methods that only touch the surface—like wiping with a paper towel, which may remove visible grime but not the microbes that can cause illness. Relying on gloves without prior handwashing can still allow microbes to transfer when the gloves are put on or removed, and gloves themselves can tear or become contaminated. Rinsing with water alone doesn’t remove oils or microbes as effectively as soap and water. So the essential practice is to wash your hands before handling any food or drink.

Hand hygiene is the first line of defense in preventing contamination when handling food or drink. Washing hands with soap and water thoroughly removes dirt, oils, and a wide range of microbes, and the act of scrubbing helps loosen what’s on the skin so it can be rinsed away. This is more effective than methods that only touch the surface—like wiping with a paper towel, which may remove visible grime but not the microbes that can cause illness. Relying on gloves without prior handwashing can still allow microbes to transfer when the gloves are put on or removed, and gloves themselves can tear or become contaminated. Rinsing with water alone doesn’t remove oils or microbes as effectively as soap and water. So the essential practice is to wash your hands before handling any food or drink.