What should you do if you have cuts or burns on your hands while handling food?

When handling food with cuts or burns on your hands, it is essential to use gloves to cover the hand injuries. This practice is crucial for maintaining food safety, as it prevents any potential contaminants from the injury from coming into contact with the food. Additionally, gloves serve as a barrier protecting the injured areas from exposure to food and preventing any foreign materials from entering the wound, which could complicate healing or lead to an infection.

Using a bandage alone, although helpful for protection, does not provide the same level of safety as gloves, particularly in a food handling context. Bandages can be less effective in sealing off the injury from potential contaminants, and their adhesive surfaces might not provide a complete seal, allowing for possible contamination.

Frequent handwashing is a good practice overall, but it is not sufficient on its own if you already have an injury. While washing can help with general hygiene, it does not address the specific risks associated with open cuts or burns.

Ignoring minor injuries poses a significant risk in food handling. Even small cuts can harbor bacteria and, if not properly covered or protected, can contaminate food and lead to foodborne illnesses. Thus, using gloves is the proper and safe approach to handling food while managing injuries on your hands.