Which practice is required when handling ready-to-eat foods?

• A. No bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods
• B. Bare hand contact is allowed if hands are clean
• C. Bare hand contact is allowed when gloves are worn after lunch
• D. Bare hand contact is required to check temperature

Answer: (A)

When handling ready-to-eat foods, you must avoid touching them with your bare hands. These foods won’t be cooked again to kill any bacteria, so any germs on your hands could contaminate the food. The safest approach is to use clean utensils, deli tissue, or disposable gloves as a barrier between your hands and the food. Gloves should be changed or hands washed before putting them on, and gloves should be changed if they become contaminated or torn.

This is why other options don’t fit: bare-hand contact isn’t allowed for ready-to-eat items, even if hands seem clean, and temperature checks or other handling should be done with proper tools or utensils rather than direct contact with bare hands.