What is the first thing you should do after using the restroom while working with food?

After using the restroom while working with food, it is essential to wash your hands thoroughly. This step is crucial because handwashing is a key measure in preventing the spread of germs and contaminants that can lead to foodborne illnesses.

When you wash your hands properly with soap and water, you effectively remove dirt, bacteria, and viruses that may have been transferred to your hands during restroom use. This action not only protects your health but also safeguards the health of customers and co-workers by minimizing the risk of contamination when handling food.

While putting on new gloves or using hand sanitizer can be part of good hygiene practices in a food handling environment, they cannot replace the necessity of thorough handwashing. Hand sanitizer is effective to some extent but does not eliminate all types of germs as effectively as soap and water. Returning to work immediately without cleaning your hands poses a high risk for cross-contamination, jeopardizing food safety and potentially harming consumers.