What is the purpose of hand sanitizers in food handling?

The purpose of hand sanitizers in food handling is to provide a secondary method of reducing microbial contamination on clean hands. While hand sanitizers are effective in killing many types of germs, they are designed to be used after hands have already been washed to further minimize any remaining microbial presence. This helps ensure that food remains safe from contamination during preparation or handling.

Hand sanitizers do not replace handwashing, which is crucial for removing dirt, grease, and certain types of germs that sanitizers alone may not effectively address. They are not intended to clean surfaces, as their formulation is specifically for skin use. Additionally, while proper food handling practices can help prevent spoilage, hand sanitizers do not directly prevent food from spoiling; they are focused solely on hand hygiene to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.