ServSafe Manager Practice Exam

What should food handlers do before prepping food?

1. Put on clean clothes

2. Wash their hands

3. Check food temperatures

4. Disinfect surfaces

The correct answer is: Wash their hands

Before food handlers begin prepping food, it is essential for them to wash their hands. Proper hand hygiene is a critical practice that helps prevent the transfer of harmful bacteria and viruses to food. Hands can harbor pathogens from various sources, including skin, the environment, and other contaminated surfaces, which can lead to foodborne illnesses if not addressed. Washing hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds effectively removes contaminants, ensuring that food remains safe and prevents cross-contamination. While putting on clean clothes, checking food temperatures, and disinfecting surfaces are all important practices within food safety and sanitation, they do not address the immediate need for hand hygiene that directly impacts food handling at the start of food preparation. Food handlers must prioritize handwashing to protect not only the food they are preparing but also the health of the consumers who will eat that food.