Gloves must be worn when handling which of the following?

Wearing gloves when handling ready-to-eat foods is critical for ensuring food safety and preventing contamination. Ready-to-eat foods include items that do not require any further cooking before consumption, such as salads, bread, or pre-cooked meats. The primary reason for using gloves in this context is to minimize the risk of transferring pathogens from hands to food, especially since these foods will not undergo cooking, which typically kills harmful microorganisms.

While the other activities mentioned, such as clearing tables, handling utensils, and using the restroom, have their own hygiene protocols, they do not directly involve direct contact with food that is meant to be consumed without further cooking. For instance, clearing tables may involve handling dirty dishes and utensils, which emphasizes the need for cleanliness but does not require gloves as a protective measure for food. Handling utensils also typically doesn’t involve direct hand contact with food, similarly reducing the necessity for gloves in that scenario. The restroom is an area where personal hygiene is crucial, involving hand washing rather than glove usage, underscoring different safety practices. Thus, wearing gloves specifically when handling ready-to-eat foods plays a pivotal role in food safety protocols.