Which practice is encompassed in "personal hygiene" for food handlers?

Maintaining cleanliness to prevent illness is fundamental to personal hygiene for food handlers. This practice includes effectively washing hands, wearing clean clothing, and ensuring that both personal appearance and work areas are free from contaminants. Good personal hygiene mitigates the risk of foodborne illnesses, which can occur if pathogens from an individual's body contaminate food. Proper handwashing and cleanliness are the primary defenses against the transmission of harmful microorganisms in food preparation environments.

The other options do not adequately align with the core principles of personal hygiene. Wearing stylish uniforms does not guarantee cleanliness or health safety; the focus should be on practical aspects of hygiene. Using artificial fragrances might mask odors but does not contribute to actual cleanliness or prevent contamination. Regularly changing work schedules is more related to staffing procedures than to the personal hygiene practices that a food handler must maintain to ensure food safety.