What must food handlers do when handling ready-to-eat food?

Food handlers must wear single-use gloves when managing ready-to-eat food to minimize the risk of contamination. Ready-to-eat food includes items that do not require further cooking before consumption, making it particularly susceptible to foodborne pathogens. By wearing gloves, food handlers create a barrier that protects the food from bacteria and viruses that could be transferred from their hands.

Although using utensils can reduce contact with food, it does not eliminate the need for gloves, as hands can still contact surfaces and items during food preparation and serving. Rinsing hands with water or applying hand sanitizer alone does not provide adequate protection because hands can become contaminated again immediately after sanitizing or rinsing. Gloves are a critical component of food safety protocols to ensure that food remains uncontaminated up until it is consumed.