Why should food handlers avoid wearing gloves if their hands are soiled?

Food handlers should avoid wearing gloves if their hands are soiled because gloves do not prevent contamination when they are worn over dirty hands. When hands are contaminated, wearing gloves can create a false sense of security, leading individuals to believe they are protected from foodborne pathogens. However, if the hands are not clean to begin with, any contaminants can transfer through the gloves to the food being handled. This negates the purpose of wearing gloves and can lead to foodborne illness outbreaks.

Maintaining proper hygiene by ensuring hands are thoroughly washed and sanitized before donning gloves is crucial in preventing the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses during food preparation and handling. This is a key principle in food safety that helps protect consumers from potential health risks associated with improper food handling practices.