What kind of personal protective equipment should food handlers wear?

Food handlers should wear a combination of gloves, aprons, and sometimes masks or hairnets to ensure food safety and hygiene. Gloves are essential for preventing cross-contamination when handling food, particularly when working with ready-to-eat items. Aprons provide an additional layer of protection by preventing food particles and spills from contaminating clothing and the food being prepared.

Masks and hairnets serve the purpose of preventing food handlers' hair and respiratory droplets from contaminating the food. This is especially important in environments where food safety is crucial, as airborne contaminants can pose health risks. Together, this combination of personal protective equipment creates a barrier against various forms of contamination, contributing to overall food safety.

While gloves alone, aprons alone, or just focusing on pants and shoes can offer some level of cleanliness, they do not provide comprehensive protection against the multiple ways food can become contaminated during handling or preparation. Thus, the comprehensive approach of wearing gloves, aprons, and sometimes masks or hairnets is the most effective method for safeguarding food safety.