What is the purpose of using gloves when handling ready-to-eat foods?

Using gloves when handling ready-to-eat foods primarily serves to minimize the risk of contamination from hands to food. Human hands can carry a variety of microorganisms, dirt, and allergens that can easily transfer to food items. The use of gloves acts as a barrier between your hands and the food, significantly reducing the chance of foodborne illness.

This practice is especially important for ready-to-eat foods, which are not cooked before consumption. If contaminants from hands come into contact with these foods, it could pose serious health risks to consumers. Gloves should be used in conjunction with good hygiene practices, such as washing hands before putting on gloves and replacing them when they become soiled or after touching different types of food.

While the other choices do mention aspects of working in a food service environment, they do not address the critical health safety purpose of glove usage as effectively as minimizing contamination does.