Final answer:
Not washing your hands properly and not using a barrier between your hands and ready-to-eat food can lead to the spread of pathogens and the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Not washing your hands properly and not using a barrier between your hands and ready-to-eat food can lead to the spread of pathogens and the risk of foodborne illnesses. Pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, can be present on your hands and can contaminate the food you touch. These pathogens can cause symptoms like food poisoning, gastrointestinal infections, and other illnesses.
For example, if you handle raw meat or fish and then touch ready-to-eat food without washing your hands, the pathogens from the raw food can transfer to the ready-to-eat food and cause contamination. Similarly, if you don't use a barrier like gloves or a utensil when handling ready-to-eat food, pathogens from your hands can come in direct contact with the food.
To prevent these risks, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before handling food. Using gloves or other barriers can also help minimize direct contact between your hands and the food you're preparing or eating.