Which action should NOT be taken when handling food?

Touching food with unwashed hands poses a significant risk to food safety. This action introduces harmful pathogens and bacteria from the hands into the food, which can lead to foodborne illnesses. The importance of proper hand hygiene cannot be overstated; it is one of the most basic yet effective practices to prevent contamination.

By washing hands before food preparation and using gloves when necessary, food handlers minimize the likelihood of transferring bacteria to food. Additionally, keeping hair tied back is a practice that helps to prevent hair from falling into food, further protecting food from contamination. Each of these actions is vital for maintaining safe food handling, but using unwashed hands directly undermines these efforts, making it essential to avoid this behavior.