What type of foods should never be handled with bare hands?

Ready-to-eat foods should never be handled with bare hands because they are already prepared for consumption and are at high risk for contamination if proper hygiene practices are not followed. The primary concern is that handling these foods with bare hands can transfer bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, which can lead to foodborne illnesses.

In food safety, it is critical to ensure that ready-to-eat items, such as salads, cooked foods, or items that will not be further cooked before serving, are protected from potential contaminants. This is why food handlers are typically trained to use gloves or utensils when dealing with these types of foods to maintain safety and hygiene standards.

In contrast, raw meats, baked goods, and frozen foods may have different handling requirements. While raw meats require careful handling and proper cooking to kill pathogens, they are not ready for consumption, and handling them with clean hands is a practiced standard. Baked goods might be safe to handle with clean hands, and frozen foods, if cooked properly afterward, also do not pose the same immediate risk as ready-to-eat foods.