When should gloves be changed during food preparation?

Gloves should be changed after handling raw food and switching tasks to ensure food safety and prevent cross-contamination. This practice is crucial because raw foods, particularly meats, poultry, and seafood, can harbor harmful bacteria that pose food safety risks. When a food handler switches tasks — such as moving from preparing raw meat to slicing vegetables — changing gloves is essential to avoid transferring pathogens from the raw food to ready-to-eat items.

By changing gloves in these scenarios, food handlers help maintain a safe food preparation environment and protect consumers from foodborne illnesses. Regularly changing gloves also ensures that any contaminants are effectively removed, further minimizing the risk of cross-contamination. This aligns with best practices in food safety, ensuring that each area of food preparation maintains its integrity and safety.