ServSafe Manager Practice Exam

What must food handlers do after touching their body or clothing?

1. Ignore it

2. Wash their hands

3. Use hand sanitizer

4. Rinse with water

The correct answer is: Wash their hands

Food handlers must wash their hands after touching their body or clothing to prevent the cross-contamination of food. This practice is essential in maintaining food safety, as hands can carry pathogens and contaminants that may lead to foodborne illnesses. When food handlers touch their face, hair, or clothing, they can transfer unwanted bacteria or germs to their hands, which can then be passed on to food and food-contact surfaces. Washing hands with soap and water effectively removes dirt, bacteria, and viruses, ensuring that the food being handled remains safe for consumption. Using hand sanitizer, while better than nothing, does not remove physical dirt and is not as effective on visibly soiled hands. Ignoring the need to wash hands or simply rinsing with water does not adequately eliminate contaminants and could compromise food safety practices. Therefore, thorough handwashing is a critical component of food safety training for food handlers.