Which practice is crucial for preventing cross-contamination?

Cleaning hands before food preparation is crucial for preventing cross-contamination because hands can easily transfer pathogens from one food item to another. When preparing food, hands can pick up harmful bacteria from raw ingredients or surfaces, which can then be transferred to ready-to-eat foods if hands are not properly cleaned.

In contrast, using the same cutting board for all food types can lead to the transfer of bacteria from raw foods to cooked or fresh foods. Storing raw meat above vegetables poses a risk if juices from the meat drip onto the vegetables, potentially contaminating them. While using gloves can reduce the risk of cross-contamination, it is essential that hands are cleaned thoroughly beforehand; gloves can also become contaminated if not properly handled, so handwashing remains a vital practice for food safety.