When should a food handler change gloves after moving defrosted hamburger patties and preparing other raw foods?

A food handler should change gloves after moving defrosted hamburger patties to the preparation area because this helps prevent cross-contamination. Raw meats, like hamburger patties, can harbor harmful bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli. When a food handler touches raw meat and then prepares other foods without changing gloves, there’s a significant risk that these harmful bacteria could transfer to the other food items, leading to foodborne illness.

Changing gloves after handling raw meat creates a barrier that protects ready-to-eat food items from contamination. It is critical in maintaining safe food preparation practices to ensure that the meal served to customers remains safe to eat. This practice aligns with food safety protocols aimed at reducing the risk of cross-contamination in food service environments.