What is the first step to prevent foodborne illness?

Washing your hands before beginning work is a critical first step in preventing foodborne illness. Proper hand hygiene plays a vital role in ensuring that pathogens and contaminants from your hands do not transfer to food. Hands can easily carry bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms, particularly after using the restroom or handling raw food items. By thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water before engaging in food preparation or service, you significantly reduce the risk of contaminating food and spreading illnesses.

While avoiding wearing jewelry, keeping clothes clean, and using clean wiping rags are also important measures to maintain food safety, they contribute to a broader scope of hygiene practices that support the prevention of foodborne illness. Handwashing directly addresses one of the most common channels of cross-contamination, making it the foundational step in establishing a safe food handling environment.