Food handlers must wash their hands and exposed portions of their arms before which activity?

Handwashing is a crucial practice in food safety, and food handlers must wash their hands and exposed portions of their arms before putting on disposable gloves. This practice ensures that any contaminants or pathogens present on the skin are removed before handling food or food equipment. Gloves are a barrier to contamination, but they cannot replace the need for proper hand hygiene. If hands are not washed before donning gloves, any bacteria or viruses present can be transferred to the gloves and subsequently to the food being prepared.

While other activities such as using tobacco products, taking restroom breaks, or handling raw meat require handwashing at specific times, the focus here is on the importance of starting with clean hands to prevent contamination before handling food-related tasks with gloves. Understanding this reinforces the importance of continual hygiene practices to ensure food safety in any food service environment.