Illinois Food Service License Practice Test

How often should food handlers wash their hands?

1. Every hour

2. Every 30 minutes

3. After handling money

4. Before starting a new task

The correct answer is: Before starting a new task

The frequency of handwashing for food handlers is crucial in maintaining food safety and preventing contamination. Washing hands before starting a new task is essential because it ensures that any potential pathogens or contaminants from previous tasks do not cross-contaminate food or food preparation surfaces. This practice applies to various scenarios, such as switching from handling raw meats to preparing vegetables or after using the restroom. While washing hands at specific intervals, such as every hour or every 30 minutes, is not a recommended practice because it does not account for the numerous opportunities for contamination throughout a shift. Additionally, while it's important to wash hands after handling money to prevent the transfer of germs, it is just one of many critical times to wash hands. Each situation requires a fresh start with clean hands to ensure food safety and protect the health of customers.