Which action helps prevent food contamination?

Washing hands after food contact is a fundamental practice in preventing food contamination. Proper handwashing removes pathogens and contaminants that may be transferred from one food item or surface to another through direct contact. This practice is essential in maintaining food safety, as hands can carry harmful bacteria and viruses that can easily contaminate food, leading to foodborne illnesses.

Each of the other actions listed poses a risk of contamination: thawing food at room temperature can allow harmful bacteria to multiply, using the same utensils for raw and cooked food can transfer raw pathogens to cooked food, and not cleaning kitchen surfaces regularly can lead to the accumulation of bacteria. Understanding the significance of consistently washing hands helps in creating a safe food preparation environment and reduces the likelihood of foodborne illness outbreaks.