Sanitation Certification Practice Test 2026 - Free Sanitation Practice Questions and Study Guide

Food handlers should wash their hands before and after each activity to ensure proper hygiene and reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This practice is essential because food handling involves multiple tasks that can introduce pathogens. For example, a food handler may touch raw meat, then switch to preparing ready-to-eat foods. Washing hands before starting a new task effectively removes any contaminants that could lead to foodborne illnesses.

Washing hands at this frequency reinforces safe food preparation practices that protect consumers. Sanitation guidelines emphasize that hand washing should occur not just after handling raw foods, but also before touching other ingredients, after using the restroom, and after handling money or any items that may harbor bacteria. This proactive approach to hygiene helps maintain a safe food handling environment.