What should you do after using the restroom before returning to food handling?

Washing your hands thoroughly after using the restroom is crucial in the food handling environment because it helps prevent the transmission of pathogens that could contaminate food. When you wash your hands, it is important to use soap and water, scrubbing all parts of your hands for at least 20 seconds. This method effectively removes dirt, bacteria, and viruses, ensuring that you maintain a high standard of hygiene.

While rinsing your hands briefly may remove some surface contaminants, it is not sufficient to eliminate harmful microorganisms. Using solely hand sanitizer is also not adequate after using the restroom, as sanitizers are not effective on visibly dirty hands and require the hands to be dry before application. Therefore, thoroughly washing hands is the most effective method to ensure safety and hygiene in food handling practices.