What is the primary benefit of personal hygiene in food handling?

The primary benefit of personal hygiene in food handling is that it significantly reduces the risk of food contamination. When food handlers maintain proper personal hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing, wearing clean clothing, and keeping hair tied back, they minimize the potential transfer of harmful pathogens and chemicals to food. This is crucial because contaminated food can lead to foodborne illnesses, which pose serious health risks to consumers. By ensuring that food handlers maintain high standards of personal hygiene, establishments can create a safer environment for food preparation and service, thereby protecting public health and ensuring food safety.