Which action should be performed before putting on gloves for food preparation?

Washing hands thoroughly before putting on gloves for food preparation is crucial for maintaining food safety and preventing cross-contamination. Clean hands are essential because they remove dirt, bacteria, and other potential contaminants that could transfer to food and surfaces during food preparation. Even if gloves are being used, if the hands are not clean, the gloves can still come into contact with harmful pathogens. This step ensures that the gloves are put on over sanitized hands, creating an additional barrier against contamination.

Applying lotion, rinsing gloves, or using hand sanitizer might seem like they could maintain hygiene; however, they do not replace the need for proper handwashing. Lotions and various substances can create a film on the hands, potentially harboring bacteria or contaminating food. Rinsing gloves with water does not eliminate contaminants that may have been present on hands. While hand sanitizer can reduce some germs, it is not as effective as thorough handwashing in removing soil and organic matter, which are often present in food preparation settings. Thus, handwashing remains the best practice to ensure optimal food safety.