What is the key principle of food safety in handling?

Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene is a fundamental principle of food safety when handling food. This involves ensuring that all surfaces and utensils used in food preparation are clean and sanitized to prevent contamination. Proper handwashing techniques for food handlers are also crucial to eliminate bacteria and other pathogens that could lead to foodborne illnesses. By prioritizing cleanliness and hygiene, food handlers can significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination, which is critical for protecting public health and ensuring that food is safe for consumption.

In the context of food safety, keeping food out of the fridge, avoiding cooking altogether, or using food additives liberally do not align with the essential practices necessary to handle food safely. Proper refrigeration prevents the growth of harmful bacteria, cooking food appropriately kills pathogens, and while food additives can be used for various purposes, they do not replace the need for basic hygiene and cleanliness in food handling.