Which food item may be handled with bare hands?

It's important to prioritize food safety. While some foods might seem safe to handle with bare hands, it's generally best to avoid touching ready-to-eat foods with bare hands.

Here's why:

* Bacteria: Our hands carry bacteria, even after washing. This bacteria can transfer to food and cause foodborne illness.

* Cross-contamination: Touching raw meat, poultry, or seafood with bare hands and then handling ready-to-eat foods can spread bacteria.

Foods that are generally safe to handle with bare hands (with proper handwashing):

* Fruits and vegetables: If you wash them thoroughly before eating, they're generally safe.

* Cooked foods: If food has been cooked to a safe internal temperature and is kept hot, it's usually safe to handle with clean hands.

* Foods that will be cooked: It's generally okay to handle raw ingredients that will be cooked thoroughly before consumption.

Foods that should NEVER be handled with bare hands:

* Ready-to-eat foods: These are foods that are eaten without further cooking, such as sandwiches, salads, sliced fruits, and cooked meats.

* Raw meats, poultry, and seafood: These items can contain harmful bacteria.

* Foods with high risk of contamination: This includes foods like eggs, dairy products, and sprouts.

Important Note: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling any food. If you have any doubts about the safety of handling a particular food, it's always best to err on the side of caution and use gloves or utensils.