New York City Food Protection Practice Test

What is an acceptable method for handling food that will be cooked, such as raw dough for bread?

1. Using gloves at all times

2. Applying hand sanitizer before handling

3. Using clean bare hands

4. Washing hands with soap after handling

The correct answer is: Using clean bare hands

The choice indicating the use of clean bare hands is acceptable for handling food that will be cooked, such as raw dough for bread, because when the food is intended to be thoroughly cooked, the high temperatures achieved during cooking will effectively kill most harmful bacteria. Therefore, while maintaining cleanliness is essential, the specific method of handling the dough does not strictly require gloves if hands are clean. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap prior to handling any food product to ensure that any potential contaminants are eliminated. This approach aligns with food safety practices, as it focuses on the importance of hygiene while still allowing for flexibility in handling foods that will undergo a cooking process. The alternative options, such as using gloves at all times or hand sanitizer, imply a level of precaution that, while beneficial in certain contexts, may not be necessary when the food is to be cooked. Gloves can also be a point of contamination if they are not used correctly or frequently changed, and hand sanitizer alone is not as effective as washing hands with soap and water, especially after handling raw food products.