Final answer:
In general, you should wash your hands before and after handling or preparing food, before eating, and whenever your hands become soiled. Food handling gloves should be worn when there is a risk of direct contact with food that could contaminate it, such as when handling ready-to-eat foods or raw meats. Thorough handwashing should last about 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
Step-by-step explanation:
In general, you should wash your hands before and after handling or preparing food, before eating, and whenever your hands become soiled. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends handwashing before, during, and after food handling; before eating; before and after interacting with someone who is ill; before and after treating a wound; after using the toilet or changing diapers; after coughing, sneezing, or blowing the nose; after handling garbage; and after interacting with an animal, its feed, or its waste. Thorough handwashing should last about 20 seconds with soap and warm water.
Food handling gloves should be worn when there is a risk of direct contact with food that could contaminate it. For example, you should wear food handling gloves when handling ready-to-eat foods, such as sandwiches or salad ingredients, to prevent cross-contamination. Gloves can also be worn when handling raw meats or other potentially hazardous foods to protect against contact with pathogens. It is important to remember that gloves are not a substitute for proper handwashing, and hands should be washed before and after wearing gloves.