Which combination of steps is recommended if you have a cut on your hand and still need to handle food?

• A. Wash your hands, put on a clean bandage, and wear gloves
• B. Just wear gloves
• C. Just wash your hands
• D. Put on a clean bandage only

Answer: (A)

When handling food with a cut, you need a protection sequence that cleans, covers, and creates a barrier between the wound and the food. Start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water to remove germs from the skin. After drying, apply a clean, waterproof bandage to seal the cut and prevent leakage. Then put on a fresh disposable glove before handling food. The glove adds a reliable barrier between the wound and the food, and you should replace gloves if they tear or become wet or dirty.

Wearing gloves alone can miss keeping the wound clean and secure, and washing without covering leaves the cut exposed to contamination. A bandage alone protects the wound but doesn’t provide the ongoing barrier against food and surfaces that gloves offer. So, combining all three steps—cleaning, covering, and gloving—best protects both the food and the wound.