When should you wash your hands while preparing food?

Washing hands before handling food and after touching unsanitary items is essential for food safety and hygiene. This practice helps prevent the transfer of harmful bacteria and pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses. By washing hands before handling food, you ensure that your hands are clean and do not contaminate the food you are preparing. Additionally, washing hands after touching unsanitary items—such as garbage, raw meat, or surfaces that may harbor bacteria—further reduces the risk of cross-contamination.

Handwashing is a critical component of food safety protocols, and it should be done thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This routine helps to maintain a clean and safe food preparation environment, which is vital in commercial kitchens like IHOP and in home cooking as well. The other choices do not provide a comprehensive approach to hand hygiene during food preparation, as they either limit handwashing to specific situations or do not emphasize its importance consistently throughout the food handling process.