.
Food Handlers washing their hands the right way is the easiest way to keep food safe.
Washing your hands the right way can stop the spread of illness-causing bacteria.
Here’s how to do it:
- Wet your hands with warm or cold running water and apply soap. According to FDA, you should use plain soap and water—skip the antibacterial soap.
- Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well. Be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Bacteria can hide out here too!
- Continue rubbing hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum “Happy Birthday” from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry.
Food Handlers in both home and commercial kitchens should wash their hand:
- Before eating food.
- Before, during, and after preparing food.
- Before and after treating a cut or wound.
- Before and after caring for someone who is sick.
- After handling uncooked eggs, or raw meat, poultry, seafood, or their juices.
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- After touching an animal or animal waste.
- After touching garbage.
- After using the toilet.
The video below is well worth watching – 20 seconds is a really long time.
Texas Food Handler Course Only $7