Starbucks Food Safety Practice Exam

Which of the following is a safe practice for food workers?

1. Cooking raw meats with bare hands

2. Having long nails while preparing food

3. Washing hands thoroughly after handling raw foods

4. Eating while preparing food

The correct answer is: Washing hands thoroughly after handling raw foods

Washing hands thoroughly after handling raw foods is a crucial practice for food workers to ensure food safety. This step effectively removes any potential contamination, such as bacteria or pathogens, that may be present on raw foods, particularly meats. Adhering to this practice helps prevent the spread of illnesses caused by foodborne pathogens, protecting both the food being prepared and the customers consuming it. In food handling environments, maintaining proper hygiene is vital, and handwashing is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to uphold these health standards. Using soap and water to wash hands removes organic matter and contaminants, and it should always occur after handling raw foods before a worker touches anything else, including ready-to-eat items or kitchen surfaces. The other choices represent unsafe practices that can lead to cross-contamination or health risks. Cooking with bare hands, for example, can transfer harmful bacteria to food, while having long nails increases the risk of harboring bacteria under the nails, and eating while preparing food can introduce further contaminants. Therefore, promoting handwashing after handling raw foods is essential for the safety and well-being of everyone involved in the food preparation process.