Final answer:
Food handlers must follow a personal hygiene program to reduce the risk of transferring pathogens to food, which involves practices like regular hand washing and maintaining a clean work environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
To reduce the risk of pathogens being transferred to food, it is crucial that food handlers follow a personal hygiene program. This involves practices such as regular hand washing with soap and warm running water, proper washing of utensils and countertops where food is prepared, and maintaining a clean work environment. Wearing gloves or hair restraints like hairnets can also prevent physical contaminants like hair from entering food. Good hygiene is essential since pathogens can be present on surfaces and can spread through touch, potentially causing foodborne illnesses. Encouraging food handlers to maintain high levels of personal cleanliness minimizes the chances of spreading microbes and helps to safeguard public health.