When should gloves be worn while handling food?

Wearing gloves while handling food is essential for minimizing the risk of contamination, particularly with ready-to-eat foods that will not undergo further cooking. In situations where there is a possibility of direct hand contact with these items, gloves serve as a barrier that helps prevent the transfer of pathogens, allergens, or contaminants from hands to food. This practice is especially important in ensuring the safety and hygiene of food that will be consumed without cooking, as any pathogens present would not be eliminated.

In contrast, handling raw meat necessitates careful hygiene practices, but it is primarily about preventing cross-contamination with other food types rather than direct contact with ready-to-eat foods. Similarly, while gloves may be appropriate when serving plated food, the emphasis on glove use should depend more on the potential for contamination of exposed food items rather than the act of serving itself. Therefore, the key principle is to wear gloves when there's a risk that hands could directly touch and contaminate food that is ready for consumption.