Illinois Food Service License Practice Test

What should food handlers do to prevent food allergens from being transferred to food?

1. Use more seasonings

2. Use separate cutting boards

3. Wear gloves while handling food

4. Clean and sanitize utensils after use

The correct answer is: Clean and sanitize utensils after use

To effectively prevent food allergens from being transferred to food, it is crucial for food handlers to clean and sanitize utensils after use. This practice helps eliminate any residue that may harbor allergens, reducing the risk of cross-contact during food preparation. Allergens can cling to surfaces, utensils, and equipment, so thorough cleaning and sanitization is essential for maintaining food safety, particularly for individuals with food allergies. Using separate cutting boards is also an important practice to avoid cross-contamination, particularly when preparing allergenic and non-allergenic foods. While wearing gloves can provide a barrier against allergens, it is still necessary to clean and sanitize to ensure that surfaces and tools are free from potential allergens before they come into contact with different food items. Using more seasonings does not address the issue of allergens at all, and may even complicate matters by introducing new ingredients without awareness of potential allergens they may contain. Therefore, cleaning and sanitizing utensils is the most effective way to prevent the transfer of allergens in food preparation.