Which of the following describes situations when handwashing is important?

• A. After combing or touching the hair, face, nose, mouth or ears
• B. After cleaning
• C. After handling external packaging
• D. After combing or touching the hair, face, nose, mouth or ears; after handling waste food or rubbish; after cleaning; after handling external packaging

Answer: (D)

Handwashing is a key way to remove contaminants from hands and prevent cross-contamination when handling food. The best choice covers all the common moments when hands can become contaminated and therefore need washing: after combing or touching the hair, face, nose, mouth or ears, since those areas can transfer microbes and oils to hands; after handling waste food or rubbish, where contamination is most likely; after cleaning, because dirt and cleaning residues can transfer to hands; and after handling external packaging, which may carry dirt from storage or handling. Washing at these times helps stop the spread of germs to foods, surfaces and equipment.

Washing after only one of these actions would miss other chances for contamination, so listing all of them together provides the most thorough guidance.