Which of the following is an effective handwashing practice?

Washing hands with soap before handling food is a crucial practice for ensuring food safety. This is because soap effectively removes dirt, bacteria, and viruses from the skin. When hands are washed properly with soap and water, it helps to eliminate pathogens that could contaminate food, protecting both the individual preparing the food and the customers consuming it.

Effective handwashing practices require adequate time and technique. Merely rinsing hands with water or washing them for a brief period, such as 5 seconds, does not adequately remove harmful contaminants. Additionally, while gloves can serve as a barrier against contamination, they do not replace the need for proper hand hygiene. If hands are not washed before putting on gloves, pathogens can still be transferred to food when the gloves are eventually used.

Therefore, the key point is that washing hands with soap before handling food is an essential step in maintaining food safety and preventing foodborne illnesses.