Why should you wash your hands after handling eggs?

Washing your hands after handling eggs is essential to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria, particularly _Salmonella_. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Eggshells can contain Salmonella:Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. It can be present on the shells of eggs, even if the eggs appear clean. When you handle eggs, there's a risk of transferring Salmonella to your hands and potentially contaminating other surfaces or food items.

2. Cross-contamination: When handling eggs, it's easy to inadvertently spread Salmonella to other surfaces and objects in your kitchen, such as countertops, utensils, and kitchen appliances. This is known as cross-contamination. Salmonella can survive on surfaces for several hours or even days, increasing the risk of infection for you and others in your household.

3. Raw eggs: In many instances, you may work with raw eggs to prepare various dishes like omelets, scrambled eggs, or recipes containing uncooked eggs. Consuming raw or undercooked eggs carries a higher risk of Salmonella infection since the bacteria may not be destroyed during cooking. Washing your hands after handling raw eggs is particularly important to eliminate any traces of Salmonella on your hands and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

4. Food safety guidelines: Washing hands after handling eggs is considered a fundamental food safety practice. To minimize the risk of Salmonella contamination and ensure food safety, it's recommended to rinse your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling raw eggs, as well as any surfaces or utensils that come into contact with them.

By following proper handwashing practices after handling eggs, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from the risk of Salmonella infection and maintain good food hygiene in your kitchen.