How should cooked food be handled to prevent contamination?

Using utensils or gloves to prevent hand contact is essential in food safety to minimize the risk of contamination. When handling cooked food, it is crucial to maintain hygiene and prevent the transfer of pathogens from hands to food. Hands can carry bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants that can lead to foodborne illnesses. By using utensils or gloves, food handlers create a barrier that reduces the likelihood of these harmful microorganisms coming into contact with the food.

Covering food until served is a good practice for protecting it from airborne contaminants and pests, but it does not address the direct handling aspect during food preparation. Rinsing food in water is not a reliable method for ensuring its safety and can potentially introduce more contaminants or dilute its quality. Using hands directly is not a safe method, as it increases the chance of transmitting pathogens to the food. Therefore, employing utensils or gloves is the most effective way to protect cooked food from contamination during handling.