How should ready-to-eat food be handled?

Ready-to-eat food should be handled with clean utensils or gloves to avoid contamination. This practice is crucial in food safety, as ready-to-eat foods are items that do not require further cooking and can be consumed without additional processing. Because they are consumed in their prepared state, any transfer of harmful microorganisms can lead to foodborne illnesses.

Using clean utensils or gloves creates a barrier between the food and potential contaminants from hands or surfaces. This helps ensure that the food maintains its safety and integrity, protecting consumers from diseases that can arise from improper handling practices.

While limiting handling is beneficial for preserving quality, the priority must always be food safety, especially with items that are not subjected to cooking. Using bare hands is not advisable as it increases the risk of contamination. Additionally, relying on "any tools available" does not guarantee that the tools are clean or appropriate for food handling, further heightening the risk of introducing pathogens to ready-to-eat food.