Why is wearing gloves important when preparing food?

Wearing gloves when preparing food is crucial primarily to prevent direct contact with food. This practice helps to minimize the risk of transferring bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens from hands to the food being prepared. Food can easily become contaminated during the preparation process, especially when handling raw ingredients. By using gloves, food workers create a barrier that protects both the food and the consumers, ensuring safer food handling practices.

While it's true that gloves can help keep hands clean and avoid direct hand-to-food contact, they are not a substitute for regular handwashing. Proper hygiene protocols dictate that food workers should wash their hands before putting on gloves, especially after handling raw foods or using the restroom. Additionally, while gloves might provide a more hygienic way to handle food, their use is not primarily to make food look more appealing or keep hands warm, which are not valid reasons for glove use in food preparation.