When should you wash your hands?

Washing hands is a critical practice in food safety, and it is essential to know the proper times to do so. The correct time to wash your hands includes before handling food, after eating or smoking, and after any situation where hand contamination may occur.

In the context of the options provided, washing hands after eating or smoking is important because these activities can transfer bacteria or contaminants from your mouth to your hands. Consuming food or tobacco can lead to residue remaining on the hands, which can then be transferred to surfaces or food.

Additionally, washing hands before putting on gloves and before handling food is equally important to maintain hygiene. However, the focus here is on a situation that indicates when washing hands is essential after a potentially contaminating activity, which is accurately captured by washing after eating or smoking.

It's also crucial to note that only washing hands when they look dirty is insufficient and may lead to foodborne illnesses, as contaminants are often invisible. Regular handwashing is an essential practice to ensure food safety and prevent contamination in food handling.