360 Training Food Handlers Practice Exam

What should food service workers do after handling raw meat?

1. Wipe their hands on a towel

2. Use the same gloves for ready-to-eat food

3. Wash their hands thoroughly

4. Rinse their hands with water

The correct answer is: Wash their hands thoroughly

After handling raw meat, food service workers should wash their hands thoroughly. This practice is crucial for preventing cross-contamination, which can lead to foodborne illnesses. Raw meat can harbor harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can easily transfer to other food items and surfaces if proper hygiene is not maintained. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds effectively removes these pathogens, ensuring that workers do not inadvertently spread contaminants when they handle other food products, especially ready-to-eat items. This step is an essential part of food safety protocols aimed at protecting consumer health. While using a towel to wipe hands, rinsing under water, or reusing gloves may seem convenient, they do not adequately eliminate harmful bacteria like proper handwashing does, increasing the risk of cross-contamination in food service environments.