Hand hygiene and food safety

Our hands touch everything: coffee cup, newspaper, money, keys, pen, papers, table, keyboard… we do everything with our hands! And then we bring them to our mouth, prepare food, and touch ingredients. In some cultures, hands are the only utensils used.

It is not forbidden to touch food with hands, but they must be clean. Food can carry bacteria that cause discomfort or serious illness. While many disappear during cooking, in the meantime, they can transfer between hands and food.

Example: when preparing a potato omelet and a salad, hands should be washed at least 5 times: before peeling and cutting ingredients, after handling potatoes and eggs, before seasoning, and before adding new ingredients like corn or tomato. Always with soap and water.

Gloves give a false sense of cleanliness and should be changed whenever handling a different product. Sometimes washing hands is easier and more economical.