Which task would require a food worker to wash hands after completing?

• A. Eating a snack during a break
• B. Checking a thermometer
• C. Returning to kitchen after washing hands
• D. Refilling a drink

Answer: (A)

Hand hygiene is required after any task that can contaminate hands. Eating a snack during a break clearly leaves food particles and oils on the hands, which can transfer to equipment, utensils, or ready-to-eat foods if the worker touches them afterward. Washing the hands after finishing the snack helps prevent cross-contamination when returning to food preparation or service. Checking a thermometer is a monitoring task and may not inherently leave hands dirty in the same obvious way, unless the hands actually become contaminated during the check. Refilling a drink could involve contact with containers, but it isn’t as clearly a contamination‑risk scenario as eating, where residues are guaranteed.