What is the purpose of hand antiseptic?

The purpose of hand antiseptic is to lower the number of pathogens on the skin. Hand antiseptics, which often come in the form of gels or wipes, contain active ingredients such as alcohol or other antimicrobial agents that effectively kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This is crucial in food safety, where the presence of pathogens on hands can lead to foodborne illnesses if food is handled without adequate hygiene practices.

While cleaning visible dirt from hands is essential for general hygiene, it is specifically the action of reducing pathogens that hand antiseptics target, especially in situations where soap and water are not immediately available. Moisturizing the skin and enhancing scent may be additional benefits of certain hand antiseptics, but they do not reflect the primary purpose related to food safety and public health.