Which practice is important for food safety related to personal hygiene?

Regular hand washing is crucial for maintaining food safety and preventing foodborne illnesses. When food handlers wash their hands correctly and frequently, they remove harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can be transferred to food. This practice is essential, especially after handling raw ingredients, using the restroom, or engaging in any activity that could contaminate the hands.

Hand washing helps to break the chain of contamination and ensures that food remains safe for consumption. It is a simple yet effective measure to protect public health, making it a foundational aspect of personal hygiene in food handling environments. Other practices, while they may contribute to overall hygiene, do not directly address the transfer of pathogens in the same way that proper hand washing does.