After washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, what should you put on to handle ready-to-eat foods?

When handling ready-to-eat foods after washing your hands and using hand sanitizer, it's essential to use protective plastic gloves. This is because these gloves serve as a barrier between your hands and the food, effectively reducing the risk of contamination. Protective plastic gloves are designed specifically for food handling, ensuring that your hands remain clean and do not introduce any pathogens to the food being prepared or served.

The use of protective plastic gloves aligns with food safety standards that aim to prevent foodborne illnesses. These gloves are typically single-use and are made from materials that are safe for food contact, providing an additional layer of hygiene. In contrast, other options like fabric gloves are not appropriate for food service as they can soak up moisture and harbor bacteria, while disposable paper gloves are not as safe or effective for handling foods due to their fragility and potential to tear. Not needing gloves under any circumstance would compromise food safety practices, thereby increasing the potential risk of contamination.