When should gloves be worn in food preparation?

Wearing gloves when handling ready-to-eat foods is a crucial practice in food safety. This measure is essential because ready-to-eat foods do not undergo any further cooking, which means any contaminants present on the food or from the hands can lead to foodborne illnesses when consumed. Gloves provide a barrier that helps prevent the transfer of pathogens, bacteria, or allergens from hands to food, ensuring that these items remain safe for consumption.

Additionally, while gloves can also be worn when handling raw foods to prevent cross-contamination, the primary focus in this context is on ready-to-eat foods. Using gloves when cleaning dishes or preparing beverages does not directly relate to food safety practices aimed at preventing contamination during the handling of food items that will be consumed without further cooking. Therefore, the practice of wearing gloves is most critical when dealing with ready-to-eat foods, as it directly influences the safety of those who will eat the finished product.