What should a food handler do after handling raw meat and before preparing ready-to-eat food?

The appropriate action for a food handler after handling raw meat and before preparing ready-to-eat food is to wash hands and change gloves. This step is crucial for preventing cross-contamination, which can occur when bacteria from raw meat transfer to ready-to-eat foods. Washing hands removes any pathogens that may have been transferred from handling the raw meat and is an essential practice in food safety. Changing gloves is similarly important, as it ensures that any contaminants on the gloves are not carried over to other food items.

Though sanitizing the work area is a good practice, it does not directly address the immediate need to remove contaminants from hands and gloves. Inspecting food for freshness is also important but should not take precedence over the hygiene practices necessary right after handling raw meat. Using a different cutting board might reduce cross-contamination risks, but it does not replace the need for proper hand hygiene and glove changes.