When should food handlers use a clean pair of gloves?

Food handlers should use a clean pair of gloves when starting to prepare food or when switching between raw and ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross-contamination. This practice is critical in ensuring food safety, as raw foods, particularly meats, can harbor harmful pathogens that may contaminate ready-to-eat foods, which are served without further cooking. By changing gloves at these key moments, food handlers minimize the risk of spreading foodborne illnesses.

Using gloves only when preparing raw foods, feeling that their hands are dirty, or whenever serving food does not address the specific situations where the potential for cross-contamination is the highest. It's essential to adopt a glove usage protocol that is based on the types of foods being handled and their preparation stages to ensure a safe food environment.