Why should ready-to-eat foods like sandwiches not be touched with bare hands?

Ready-to-eat foods, such as sandwiches, should not be touched with bare hands primarily because of the risk of contamination. This is crucial in food safety, as hands can carry a variety of germs, including bacteria and viruses, which can lead to foodborne illnesses. When food is handled without gloves or proper utensils, these pathogens can transfer directly to the food, putting consumers at risk of illness.

Maintaining hygiene when preparing and serving food is essential to ensure public health. Using gloves or utensils helps create a barrier between hands and food, significantly reducing the potential for contamination. This applies especially to foods that will not be cooked further, as they will not receive any heat treatment that could kill harmful microorganisms.

Other options do not address the key concerns regarding food safety. The reason for avoiding bare-hand contact is not about the food's dryness, temperature, or flavor, but rather the health risks associated with potential contamination.