ServSafe Manager Practice Exam

What is the purpose of hand antiseptic?

1. Clean the hands after food preparation

2. Lower the number of pathogens on the skin

3. Eliminate all bacteria present

4. Moisturize dry hands after washing

The correct answer is: Lower the number of pathogens on the skin

The purpose of hand antiseptic is primarily to lower the number of pathogens on the skin. This is crucial in food safety, as it helps to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses by minimizing the amount of harmful microorganisms that can be transferred to food or food-contact surfaces. Hand antiseptics are designed to be used after proper handwashing to further reduce the microbial load on the hands, providing an additional layer of protection against contamination. While it is true that hand antiseptics can help clean hands after food preparation and may have moisturizing properties, their main function is to act as a microbial agent to lower the potential for pathogens. It is important to understand that hand antiseptics are not intended to eliminate all bacteria and are not a substitute for thorough handwashing, which is necessary to remove dirt, food residues, and certain types of pathogens effectively.