Can ready-to-eat foods be handled with bare hands?

Ready-to-eat foods should not be handled with bare hands to prevent the transfer of pathogens and contaminants that can be present on the skin. This practice aligns with food safety guidelines that emphasize the importance of using barriers, such as gloves or utensils, when handling foods that will be consumed without further cooking.

Using bare hands can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses, as microorganisms from unclean hands can easily contaminate the food, putting consumers at risk. The goal in food handling is to maintain the highest hygiene standards to ensure food safety, particularly for items that are consumed without additional cooking, as this is often the last step before consumption.

This standard reflects best practices in food safety and is designed to protect public health by minimizing potential hazards in the food preparation process.