Which of the following practices can help prevent cross-contamination?

Washing hands before preparing food is a critical practice in preventing cross-contamination. Proper handwashing eliminates harmful bacteria and contaminants that can be transferred from hands to food, utensils, and surfaces. By ensuring that hands are clean, the risk of spreading pathogens that may cause foodborne illnesses is significantly reduced.

Other practices, such as using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked foods, are important to eliminate cross-contamination risks as well. However, the practice highlighted emphasizes the immediate action of hand hygiene, which is foundational in food safety protocols. Therefore, it plays a key role in maintaining the safety of food preparation environments.