Which item should be used to handle ready-to-eat foods to minimize contamination?

• A. Bare hands
• B. Deli tissues
• C. Spatula
• D. Paper towels

Answer: (B)

Minimizing contamination when handling ready-to-eat foods hinges on creating a barrier between hands and the food so bacteria from skin or clothing can’t transfer to the food. Disposable barriers are preferred because they’re used once and discarded, which greatly lowers the risk of cross-contamination.

Deli tissues are the best choice here because they provide a clean, single-use barrier between the hand and the food. They’re designed for quick, disposable handling and can be discarded after each use, reducing the chance of transferring bacteria from one item to another.

A spatula can also keep hands away from food, but it must be kept clean and sanitized; if it’s reused or contaminated, it can still transfer microbes to the food. Bare hands should always be avoided with ready-to-eat foods, since there’s direct contact. Paper towels might work temporarily, but they can tear or shed fibers and aren’t as reliable a barrier for handling as a dedicated disposable barrier like deli tissues.